Translation guide
The English word "poise" covers composure, graceful balance, and a way of carrying oneself. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
Staying calm and collected in stressful or embarrassing situations.
The most common word for calmness and composure. Used for people who don't panic or get flustered.
彼女はどんな時でも落ち着きを失わない。
She never loses her poise, no matter what.
面接の前は緊張したが、本番では落ち着きを取り戻した。
I was nervous before the interview, but I regained my poise during it.
Emphasizes cool-headedness and rationality. Often used when someone stays calm and thinks clearly.
彼は非常時でも冷静さを保つ。
He maintains his poise even in emergencies.
Literally 'not being shaken'. Describes someone who is unfazed by surprises or pressure.
彼はどんな批判にも動じない。
He is unshaken by any criticism.
Means 'not flustered' or 'not losing one's head'. More about avoiding visible panic.
彼女は突然の質問にもうろたえなかった。
She didn't lose her poise even at the sudden question.
Moving or standing in an elegant, controlled way.
Grace and elegance in movement or posture. Often used for dancers or refined behavior.
彼女のダンスには優雅さがある。
There is poise in her dancing.
Dignity and refinement in bearing. Suggests an innate elegance.
彼女の立ち居振る舞いには気品がある。
Her every movement has poise.
Literally 'good posture'. A simple, physical way to describe poised bearing.
彼はいつも姿勢が良くて、自信があるように見える。
He always has good posture and looks confident.
One's appearance or demeanor while standing still. Poetic and literary.
Confidence and self-possession in social situations.
General confidence. Often combined with other words to express poised confidence.
彼女は自信に満ちた態度で話した。
She spoke with an attitude full of poise.
A dignified and imposing manner. Implies calm confidence.
彼は批判に対しても堂々とした態度を崩さなかった。
He maintained his poise even in the face of criticism.
Composure and leeway; acting as if one has time and mental space. Suggests relaxed poise.
A state of physical or mental balance.
Equilibrium, often used in economic or abstract contexts. Rarely for personal poise.
心の均衡を保つことが大切だ。
It's important to maintain mental poise.
Loanword for balance. Can be used for physical poise, but less common for composure.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'poise'. Choose based on whether you mean composure, grace, or confidence.
彼女は落ち着きがある。
She has poise. (composure)
彼女の動きは優雅だ。
Her movements have poise. (grace)
その俳優のたたずまいは実に美しい。
The actor's poise is truly beautiful.
He always speaks with poise.
ヨガで体のバランスを養う。
Develop physical poise through yoga.