Translation guide
Describes someone or something that cannot be controlled, held back, or suppressed — often used for energy, enthusiasm, or personality.
Describing a person whose lively spirit, cheerfulness, or excitement cannot be suppressed.
Literally 'cannot hold back completely'. Used for emotions, laughter, or energy that bursts out.
Her irrepressible smile brightened up everyone around her.
Means 'overflowing' or 'welling up'. Often used for emotions or energy that naturally spill out.
Everyone was drawn in by his irrepressible passion.
Means 'free-spirited' or 'unrestrained'. Can imply irrepressible in a wild, unconventional way.
She has an irrepressible, free-spirited personality and won't be tied down by anyone.
Describing something that continues strongly and cannot be stopped, like a movement, trend, or natural process.
Simply 'cannot be stopped'. Works for both positive and negative unstoppable forces.
The social movement spread with irrepressible momentum.
Means 'cannot be controlled/restrained'. Often used for things that get out of hand.
Literally 'bottomless'. Used for an irrepressible, seemingly infinite quality like energy or ambition.
Describing physical reactions like laughter or tears that cannot be held back.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'irrepressible'. Using a literal translation like 抑圧できない often sounds unnatural. Instead, use phrases like 抑えきれない or 止められない depending on context.
抑えきれない is for internal feelings or reactions you try to suppress (laughter, tears, excitement). 止められない is for external forces or trends that cannot be stopped (a movement, growth, a habit).
His irrepressible curiosity led him to dabble in every field.
His irrepressible ambition is the driving force behind his success.
I couldn't hold back the irrepressible tears.