Translation guide
The concept of saying the opposite of what you mean, often for humorous or emphatic effect. Japanese expresses irony through specific words, phrases, and contextual cues rather than a single direct equivalent.
Expressing that a situation or statement is the opposite of what was expected, often with a humorous or critical tone.
The most common word for 'irony' or 'sarcasm'. Can refer to both verbal irony and situational irony.
That's an ironic outcome.
His ironic laugh bothered me.
To say something ironic or sarcastic. A common verb phrase.
He often says ironic things.
Loanword from English, used in literary or academic contexts to refer to irony as a rhetorical device.
This novel makes heavy use of irony.
Rhetorical question or ironic statement where the intended meaning is the opposite of the literal words. More formal and literary.
His words sounded ironic.
Describing a situation where the result is the opposite of what was expected, often with a sense of poetic justice.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'ironically' or 'by an ironic twist'. Used to introduce an ironic situation.
Ironically, the person he helped was the culprit.
Unexpected development; can be used to describe an ironic turn of events, though it lacks the specific nuance of irony.
That was an unexpected turn of events.
Using irony to mock or convey contempt. Often overlaps with '皮肉', but can be more biting.
In literature or film, when the audience knows something the characters do not.
Direct translation of 'dramatic irony', used in literary criticism.
This scene is full of dramatic irony.
皮肉 (irony/sarcasm) can be humorous or critical without necessarily being malicious. 嫌味 (sarcasm/spite) is always negative and intended to hurt or annoy. Use 皮肉 for general irony, and 嫌味 when the intent is clearly mean-spirited.
Avoid directly translating 'That's ironic' as それはアイロニックだ, which is unnatural. Use 皮肉なことに or rephrase to describe the unexpected outcome.
彼の当てこすりにはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his snide remarks.