Translation guide
The English word "pretentious" describes someone or something that tries to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than they really are. In Japanese, there is no single perfect equivalent, but several words and phrases capture different aspects of pretentiousness, from affected sophistication to self-important boasting.
Describes a person, behavior, or thing that puts on airs of being cultured, intellectual, or high-class in an unnatural, showy way.
An adjective meaning 'affected', 'pretentious', or 'putting on airs'. It describes someone who acts in a refined or sophisticated manner that feels forced or unnatural. Commonly used for people, speech, or style.
彼の気取った話し方が嫌いだ。
I dislike his pretentious way of speaking.
あの気取ったレストランは雰囲気だけだ。
That pretentious restaurant is all atmosphere and no substance.
Describes someone who is pompous or gives themselves airs, often by being overly deliberate or self-important in manner. It can also mean 'to make a fuss over something trivial'.
彼はもったいぶった言い方をする。
He has a pretentious way of speaking.
A formal, literary term meaning 'pedantic' or 'pretentiously scholarly'. It describes someone who shows off their knowledge in an annoying way. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
彼の衒学的なコメントにはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his pretentious, pedantic comments.
Describes a person who thinks too highly of themselves and acts in a way that shows off their supposed superiority.
Means 'acting important' or 'self-important'. It is a very common and natural way to describe someone who behaves as if they are superior. Can be used for both serious and casual contexts.
彼はいつも偉そうに話す。
He always talks in a pretentious, self-important way.
偉そうな態度を取るな。
Don't act so pretentious.
Means 'conceited' or 'full of oneself'. It focuses on the person's inflated self-image rather than just their outward behavior. Often used for someone who is vain or overly proud.
自惚れた芸術家だ。
He's a pretentious artist (full of himself).
Literally 'to become a tengu' (a mythical creature). It means to be big-headed or swollen with pride, often after some success. It implies pretentiousness born from overconfidence.
彼は少し成功して天狗になっている。
He's gotten a bit pretentious after some success.
Describes something that is overly elaborate, flashy, or designed to impress, often in a tasteless way.
Means 'flashy', 'gaudy', or 'showy'. It can describe clothes, decorations, or behavior that is overly ostentatious. While not always negative, it often carries a nuance of being in poor taste.
あの派手な車はちょっと気取って見える。
That flashy car looks a bit pretentious.
Means 'ostentatious' or 'done for show'. It describes an action or display that is deliberately meant to be seen and admired, often with a negative connotation of showing off.
彼のこれ見よがしな慈善活動は鼻につく。
His ostentatious charity work is pretentious and annoying.
Describes a person who is fake, insincere, or trying to appear more sophisticated, wealthy, or knowledgeable than they really are.
Means 'fake', 'phony', or 'sham'. It is a very common word for anything that is not genuine, including people who pretend to be something they are not. Strongly negative.
彼はインチキな評論家だ。
He's a pretentious, phony critic.
Means 'pretended', 'feigned', or 'put-on'. It emphasizes the outward appearance that is deceptive. Can be used for people, emotions, or objects.
彼の教養は見せかけだ。
His sophistication is just pretentious (a facade).
Literally 'to act like one knows'. It describes someone who pretends to be knowledgeable about something they actually know little about. Very specific to intellectual pretentiousness.
彼はいつも知ったかぶりをする。
He's always pretentiously acting like he knows everything.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'pretentious'. Using a dictionary word like 気取った (kidotta) may not fit every context. Consider the specific nuance: affected sophistication, self-importance, ostentation, or phoniness.
気取った (kidotta) focuses on affected elegance or refinement, while 偉そうな (erasō na) focuses on acting superior or bossy. A person can be both, but the emphasis differs. For example, a snobby art critic might be 気取った, while a boastful manager might be 偉そうな.
彼はとても気取っていて、賢く見せようといつも難しい言葉を使う。
He's so pretentious, always using big words to sound smart.
そんなに気取らないで、ありのままでいなよ。
Don't be so pretentious; just be yourself.
そのレストランは気取った雰囲気だったが、料理は平凡だった。
The restaurant had a pretentious atmosphere, but the food was mediocre.
Means 'pompous', 'grandiose', or 'overblown'. It describes something that is exaggeratedly formal or elaborate, like a ceremony or speech. Often used for events or presentations.
仰々しいタイトルの本だ。
It's a book with a pretentious title.