Translation guide
The English word "incoherent" can describe speech, writing, thoughts, or arguments that are unclear, disjointed, or illogical. Japanese has different expressions depending on whether you mean rambling, contradictory, or physically unintelligible.
Describing speech or writing that is hard to follow because ideas are not connected logically.
A strong, common word for speech or writing that is completely incoherent, inconsistent, and all over the place. Often used for arguments or explanations that don't hold together.
His explanation was incoherent; I had no idea what he was saying.
Literally 'the story doesn't come together.' A natural way to say someone's speech is incoherent or rambling.
I got nervous and my speech became incoherent.
Describes talk that is rambling, desultory, without a clear point. Often used for long, meandering conversations.
He went on with incoherent rambling for hours.
Literally 'without context/connection.' Used for remarks or statements that seem random and disconnected from the conversation.
He suddenly asked an incoherent question (that had nothing to do with the topic).
Describing an argument, theory, or set of statements that contradict each other or lack internal logic.
Means 'contradictory' or 'inconsistent.' The most direct way to say an argument is incoherent because its parts don't agree.
His argument is incoherent (contradictory) and unconvincing.
Literally 'the logic doesn't go through.' Means illogical, incoherent, not making sense.
Describing speech that is physically difficult to hear or understand, like mumbling, slurring, or garbled sounds.
Means 'cannot catch/hear clearly.' Used when someone's speech is incoherent due to mumbling, noise, or poor articulation.
His voice was so quiet I couldn't make out what he was saying; it was incoherent.
Means 'unclear, indistinct.' Can describe speech that is slurred or garbled.
Describing a person's thinking as confused, disjointed, or not making sense, often due to stress, illness, or emotion.
支離滅裂 emphasizes a complete lack of logical connection and structure, like a jumbled mess. 矛盾している specifically points out a contradiction between two or more statements. An argument can be 矛盾している without being 支離滅裂 if it's otherwise well-structured but contains a single contradiction.
The English word 'incoherent' covers a wide range of meanings. Direct translations like 非干渉性 (physics term) or インコヒーレント are not used in everyday language. Always choose a Japanese expression that matches the specific type of incoherence.
That theory is incoherent (doesn't make logical sense).
He got drunk and his speech became incoherent (slurred).
He was confused and couldn't say anything coherent.