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.
That explanation is nonsensical.
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.
That's just nonsense.
A formal, literary term meaning 'absurd' or 'preposterous,' often used for stories or ideas that are wildly unrealistic.
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.
I can't believe such a nonsensical story.
His behavior is completely nonsensical.
An adjective meaning 'absurd' or 'ridiculous,' often implying something is a waste of time or too stupid to take seriously.
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.
His explanation is nonsensical (doesn't make sense).
Means 'inconsistent' or 'doesn't add up.' Used when statements contradict each other, making the whole thing nonsensical.
His story is nonsensical (full of contradictions).
To describe speech or text that is literally unintelligible, like random sounds or characters.
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.
His dancing is nonsensical (ridiculous).
His dancing is meaningless. (unnatural in this context)
That rule is nonsensical.
彼の言い訳は滑稽だった。
His excuse was nonsensical (laughable).
A strong, formal term meaning 'incoherent' or 'disjointed.' Often used for speech or writing that jumps around illogically.
His speech was nonsensical (incoherent).
That sentence is gibberish.
An onomatopoeic word meaning 'gibberish' or 'incomprehensible.' Often used when you can't understand what someone is saying at all.
What he's saying is gibberish.