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.
彼女の抑えきれない笑顔が周りを明るくした。
Her irrepressible smile brightened up everyone around her.
Means 'overflowing' or 'welling up'. Often used for emotions or energy that naturally spill out.
彼の溢れ出る情熱にみんなが引き込まれた。
Everyone was drawn in by his irrepressible passion.
Means 'free-spirited' or 'unrestrained'. Can imply irrepressible in a wild, unconventional way.
彼女は奔放な性格で、誰にも縛られない。
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.
その社会運動は止められない勢いで広がった。
The social movement spread with irrepressible momentum.
Means 'cannot be controlled/restrained'. Often used for things that get out of hand.
彼の好奇心は抑えが効かず、あらゆる分野に手を出した。
His irrepressible curiosity led him to dabble in every field.
Literally 'bottomless'. Used for an irrepressible, seemingly infinite quality like energy or ambition.
彼の底知れぬ野心が成功の原動力だ。
His irrepressible ambition is the driving force behind his success.
Describing physical reactions like laughter or tears that cannot be held back.
Means 'cannot hold back (tears/laughter)'. Very common for irrepressible physical reactions.
彼の冗談に、こらえきれずに吹き出してしまった。
I burst out laughing at his joke — it was irrepressible.
Describes a sudden, irrepressible surge of emotion, often tears or laughter.
込み上げる涙を抑えることができなかった。
I couldn't hold back the irrepressible tears.
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).