Translation guide
The concept of narcissism can be expressed in Japanese through psychological terms, everyday personality descriptions, and behavioral phrases. The most common and natural ways to describe a narcissistic person or behavior are provided below, organized by context.
Describing someone as having a narcissistic personality or excessive self-love, often in a clinical or formal sense.
The standard term for 'self-love' or 'narcissism' in psychological contexts. It can be used in both clinical and everyday language.
彼は自己愛が強い。
He has strong narcissism.
自己愛性パーソナリティ障害
narcissistic personality disorder
The direct loanword from English, used mainly in academic or psychological discussions. Less common in casual speech.
ナルシシズムの概念はフロイトによって広められた。
The concept of narcissism was popularized by Freud.
A common loanword meaning 'narcissist'. Used to describe a person who is self-absorbed or vain, often in a critical or humorous way.
彼は本当にナルシストだね。
He's such a narcissist, isn't he?
あのナルシストは自分の話ばかりする。
That narcissist only talks about himself.
Describing someone who is vain, self-centered, or overly concerned with their appearance or image in daily life.
Means 'conceit' or 'vanity'. It implies an inflated sense of self-importance and is commonly used in everyday conversation.
彼のうぬぼれには呆れるよ。
I'm amazed at his conceit.
うぬぼれが強い人は嫌われる。
People with strong vanity are disliked.
Abbreviation of 自己中心的 (self-centered). A very common, slightly slangy term for someone who only thinks about themselves.
Literally 'self-intoxication'. Describes being lost in admiration of oneself, often used for artistic or dramatic self-absorption.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'love oneself very much'. Often used to describe someone who is clearly self-obsessed.
彼女は自分が大好きで、いつも鏡を見ている。
She loves herself and is always looking in the mirror.
Referring to the story of Narcissus or the act of being in love with one's own reflection.
The Greek mythological figure Narcissus. Used when referencing the myth directly.
ナルキッソスは水面に映る自分の姿に恋をした。
Narcissus fell in love with his own reflection in the water.
自己愛 (じこあい) is the most neutral and clinical term for self-love or narcissism. うぬぼれ implies conceit and an overestimation of one's abilities or worth, often used in personal criticism. 自己中 (じこちゅう) is a casual, modern term for selfishness and self-centered behavior, not necessarily linked to self-admiration but to lack of consideration for others.
自己愛が強い人は、時に周りを傷つける。
People with strong narcissism sometimes hurt those around them.
彼のうぬぼれには手がつけられない。
His conceit is out of control.
自己中な奴は友達を失うよ。
Self-centered guys lose friends.
While ナルシシズム is understood, it sounds academic. In everyday conversation, use ナルシスト for a person, or describe behavior with うぬぼれ or 自己中. Saying 彼はナルシシズムだ is unnatural; instead say 彼はナルシストだ or 彼は自己愛が強い.
That guy is self-centered, so he doesn't listen to others.
自己中な行動はやめてほしい。
I wish you'd stop your self-centered behavior.
彼の自己陶酔的な態度が鼻につく。
His self-absorbed attitude is annoying.