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.
それは皮肉な結果だ。
That's an ironic outcome.
彼の皮肉な笑いが気になった。
His ironic laugh bothered me.
To say something ironic or sarcastic. A common verb phrase.
彼はよく皮肉を言う。
He often says ironic things.
Loanword from English, used in literary or academic contexts to refer to irony as a rhetorical device.
この小説にはアイロニーが多用されている。
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.
彼の言葉は反語的に聞こえた。
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.
皮肉なことに、彼が助けた相手が犯人だった。
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.
それは意外な展開だった。
That was an unexpected turn of events.
Using irony to mock or convey contempt. Often overlaps with '皮肉', but can be more biting.
Sarcastic or spiteful remark; implies a more negative, hurtful tone than 皮肉.
彼女は嫌味を言うのが上手だ。
She is good at making sarcastic remarks.
Veiled sarcasm or snide remark; indirect criticism.
In literature or film, when the audience knows something the characters do not.
Direct translation of 'dramatic irony', used in literary criticism.
このシーンは劇的アイロニーに満ちている。
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.
I'm fed up with his snide remarks.