Translation guide
Describes something that lacks meaning, logic, or sense. In Japanese, this can be expressed through adjectives, verbs, or set phrases depending on whether you're talking about statements, actions, or situations.
To say that something said or written is absurd, meaningless, or doesn't make sense.
Directly means 'meaningless' and is the most common and neutral way to describe something as nonsensical.
その説明は無意味だ。
That explanation is nonsensical.
彼の話はまったく無意味だった。
His story was completely nonsensical.
A loanword from English, often used in casual or literary contexts to mean 'nonsense' or 'absurd.' It can sound slightly more emphatic or stylish.
そんなのナンセンスだよ。
That's just nonsense.
A formal, literary term meaning 'absurd' or 'preposterous,' often used for stories or ideas that are wildly unrealistic.
その小説は荒唐無稽な筋書きだ。
That novel has a nonsensical plot.
To describe behavior or circumstances that are so unreasonable they seem laughable or stupid.
Means 'foolish' or 'absurd.' Very common in spoken Japanese to call something nonsensical in a derogatory way.
そんな馬鹿げた話は信じられない。
I can't believe such a nonsensical story.
彼の行動はまったく馬鹿げている。
His behavior is completely nonsensical.
Means 'comical' or 'ludicrous,' often used when something is so absurd it's funny. Slightly formal or literary.
To say that something is so disjointed or contradictory that it cannot be understood.
Literally 'the logic doesn't go through.' A very natural way to say something is illogical or doesn't make sense.
彼の説明は筋が通らない。
His explanation is nonsensical (doesn't make sense).
A strong, formal term meaning 'incoherent' or 'disjointed.' Often used for speech or writing that jumps around illogically.
彼の演説は支離滅裂だった。
His speech was nonsensical (incoherent).
Means 'inconsistent' or 'doesn't add up.' Used when statements contradict each other, making the whole thing nonsensical.
彼の話はつじつまが合わない。
His story is nonsensical (full of contradictions).
To describe speech or text that is literally unintelligible, like random sounds or characters.
Means 'nonsense,' 'rubbish,' or 'random.' Very common for describing speech or writing that is just made-up or meaningless.
彼はでたらめなことを言っている。
He's talking nonsense.
その文章はでたらめだ。
That sentence is gibberish.
There is no single Japanese adjective that covers all uses of 'nonsensical.' Choose the expression based on whether you mean meaningless, absurd, illogical, or gibberish. Using 無意味 for everything can sound unnatural in casual conversation about ridiculous behavior.
彼のダンスは馬鹿げている。
His dancing is nonsensical (ridiculous).
彼のダンスは無意味だ。
His dancing is meaningless. (unnatural in this context)
An adjective meaning 'absurd' or 'ridiculous,' often implying something is a waste of time or too stupid to take seriously.
そんな規則はばかばかしい。
That rule is nonsensical.
彼の言い訳は滑稽だった。
His excuse was nonsensical (laughable).
An onomatopoeic word meaning 'gibberish' or 'incomprehensible.' Often used when you can't understand what someone is saying at all.
彼の言っていることはちんぷんかんぷんだ。
What he's saying is gibberish.