Translation guide
The concept of showing off wealth, status, or ability in a way that is meant to impress others. Japanese expresses this through specific nouns, adjectives, and verbs that carry negative connotations of vanity and pretentiousness.
Describing a person, action, or display that is meant to flaunt money or social standing.
A noun meaning vanity or showing off, often used in phrases like 見栄を張る (to put on airs). It implies a concern with appearances and impressing others.
彼は見栄を張って高級車を買った。
He bought a luxury car to show off.
A noun meaning ostentation or empty show, emphasizing the falseness or superficiality of the display. More literary than 見栄.
彼の生活は虚飾に満ちている。
His life is full of ostentation.
A na-adjective meaning showy, flashy, or gaudy. Often used for clothing, decorations, or behavior that is overly ostentatious.
彼女のドレスは派手すぎる。
Her dress is too ostentatious.
Describing someone who acts superior or tries to appear more important, cultured, or knowledgeable than they are.
A verb meaning to put on airs, to be pretentious. Often used in the form 気取った (pretentious, affected).
彼はいつも気取った話し方をする。
He always speaks in a pretentious manner.
A verb meaning to show off, to flaunt (especially knowledge or talent). Often used in the negative form 衒わない (unpretentious).
Referring to an event, object, or lifestyle that is characterized by excessive luxury or showiness.
A na-adjective meaning luxurious, extravagant, or splendid. Can be positive or negative depending on context, but often implies ostentation when used critically.
豪華なパーティーだった。
It was an ostentatious party.
A na-adjective or noun meaning luxury, extravagance. Often used in phrases like 贅沢をする (to live in luxury). Can carry a negative nuance of wastefulness.
見栄 is more about personal vanity and the desire to look good in front of others, while 虚飾 emphasizes the falseness or emptiness of the display. 見栄 is more common in everyday speech.
見栄を張るのはやめなさい。
Stop showing off.
その建物は虚飾に過ぎない。
That building is nothing but ostentation.
The English word 'ostentation' is often translated directly as オステンテーション, but this is rarely used in natural Japanese. Use the words above depending on the context.
He doesn't flaunt his knowledge.
He leads an ostentatious lifestyle.