Translation guide
How to express losing your temper in Japanese, from mild irritation to explosive rage, with natural phrases and cautions.
The most common way to say someone lost their temper, implying a sudden outburst of anger.
Literally 'start getting angry'. A natural, common way to say someone lost their temper.
He suddenly lost his temper.
Slang for snapping or losing it. Very common in casual speech.
Describes a sudden flare-up of anger, often over something trivial.
He loses his temper over the slightest thing.
Literally 'come to the head'. Means to get angry or pissed off. Often used when describing what made you angry.
Specifically refers to a temper tantrum, often used for children or childish outbursts.
Expressions for intense, explosive anger, often with visible or violent reactions.
Formal/literary word for 'become furious'. Common in writing and news.
Focus on the expression of anger, such as yelling or acting out.
To yell in anger. Very common way to describe someone losing their temper verbally.
Emphasizes the loss of self-control rather than just anger.
The literal translation '気性を失う' does not exist in Japanese. Avoid direct translation.
lose one's temper (incorrect)
キレる implies a sudden, often explosive loss of temper, while 怒る (おこる) simply means 'get angry' and can be a sustained state. キレる is slang and very common in casual speech.
In many contexts, simply saying 怒った (got angry) is sufficient. Adding adverbs like 急に (suddenly) or 激しく (violently) can convey the nuance of losing temper.
That person loses their temper easily, huh.
I really lost my temper at his attitude.
The child lost his temper and screamed.
The president lost his temper over the report.
To rage, be beside oneself with anger. Stronger than 激怒する.
He lost his temper and slammed the desk.
Very strong slang for completely losing it, blowing your top.
That customer totally lost his temper at the clerk.
To be so enraged that you lose control, often leading to violence. Used in crime reports.
The criminal lost his temper and took a hostage.
The boss lost his temper and yelled loudly.
To raise one's voice in anger. Slightly more formal than 怒鳴る.
He lost his temper and raised his voice in objection.
To take out one's anger on people around you, snapping at everyone.
He was in a bad mood and lost his temper, taking it out on his family.
Idiom: 'the string of the patience bag snaps'. Means one's patience has run out and they finally lose their temper.
I finally lost my temper.
To exceed the limits of patience. More literal and formal.
His rude attitude made me lose my temper beyond my limits.
To lose one's cool/composure. Can be used in contexts where anger leads to poor decisions.
He lost his temper and started yelling.