Translation guide
The English word 'paranoia' can refer to a clinical condition, but in everyday use it often describes a general feeling of suspicion or mistrust. This guide focuses on natural Japanese expressions for these everyday meanings.
Expressing a feeling that others might be acting against you, or that you cannot trust people or situations.
An adjective meaning 'suspicious' or 'distrustful'. It describes a person's character or a temporary state of being overly suspicious.
彼はとても疑い深い人だ。
He is a very suspicious person.
最近、疑い深くなっている。
Lately, I've become paranoid.
Literally 'victim delusion'. This is a stronger term, often used for clinical paranoia, but also colloquially to describe someone who feels persecuted without reason.
それって被害妄想だよ。
That's just paranoia.
彼女は被害妄想が強い。
She has a strong persecution complex.
A four-character idiom meaning 'once you suspect something, everything looks suspicious'. It describes a state of mind where suspicion feeds on itself.
疑心暗鬼になって、誰も信じられなくなった。
I became paranoid and couldn't trust anyone.
Expressing a specific fear that someone is observing or tracking you.
A natural way to say 'I feel like someone is watching me'. It conveys the sensation without clinical overtones.
誰かに見られている気がして、落ち着かない。
I feel like someone is watching me and I can't relax.
Specifically means 'I feel like I'm being followed/tailed'. Use this when you suspect someone is physically following you.
家に帰る途中、尾行されている気がした。
On the way home, I felt like I was being followed.
Referring to paranoia as a symptom of mental illness.
The direct loanword from English, used in medical or psychological contexts.
彼はパラノイアと診断された。
He was diagnosed with paranoia.
The clinical term for paranoid personality disorder.
妄想性パーソナリティ障害の症状が出ている。
Symptoms of paranoid personality disorder are appearing.
The English word 'paranoia' is often used lightly in conversation, but directly translating it as パラノイア can sound overly clinical or dramatic. Use the phrases above for everyday situations.