Translation guide
To maintain confidence, dignity, or pride, especially after difficulty or when facing criticism.
To act with self-respect and without shame, often after a setback or when one might feel embarrassed.
Literally 'to thrust out one's chest'. A common idiom meaning to act with pride and confidence, holding one's head high.
彼は失敗にもかかわらず、胸を張って会場を去った。
Despite his failure, he left the venue with his head held high.
Literally 'to raise one's face'. Implies lifting one's head to show confidence or to stop looking down in shame.
To recover one's self-respect and show confidence after a humiliating experience.
Literally 'to thrust out one's chest again'. Emphasizes the recovery of pride after a period of shame.
彼はスキャンダルの後、再び胸を張って公の場に現れた。
After the scandal, he appeared in public again with his head held high.
胸を張る focuses on the proud, confident posture, often in social situations. 顔を上げる emphasizes the act of lifting one's head from a downcast position, often after sadness or shame. Both can translate to 'hold one's head high' depending on context.
The literal translation '頭を高く上げる' is not idiomatic in Japanese and sounds unnatural. Use the phrases above instead.
つらい時こそ、顔を上げて前を向こう。
It's precisely in tough times that we should hold our heads high and look forward.
Means to act with dignity and composure, without being self-conscious. Often used when one has nothing to be ashamed of.
彼女は批判を気にせず、堂々としていた。
She held her head high, unfazed by the criticism.
Literally 'to behave with pride'. A more explicit way to express holding one's head high, but less idiomatic.
彼は自分の出自に誇りを持って振る舞った。
He held his head high, proud of his origins.
Means 'to recover and raise one's face'. Combines the idea of bouncing back with the physical gesture of holding one's head high.
失敗から立ち直って顔を上げることが大切だ。
It's important to recover from failure and hold your head high.