Translation guide
A prima donna is a temperamental, demanding person who expects special treatment, often in a performance or workplace context. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent, so the concept is expressed through descriptive phrases, loanwords, or idiomatic expressions.
He is a prima donna.
Combines selfish and difficult personality traits.
Describing someone who is overly dramatic, self-important, and difficult to work with.
A straightforward way to say 'selfish person' or 'demanding person.' It lacks the theatrical nuance but is widely understood.
She is a prima donna, always demanding special treatment.
Means 'difficult person' or 'hard-to-please person.' Emphasizes the challenging personality rather than selfishness.
Focusing on the inflated ego and sense of superiority.
Means 'conceited person' or 'arrogant person.' Captures the self-importance aspect well.
He is a prima donna, overestimating his own talent.
Slang abbreviation of 自己中心的 (self-centered). Very common in casual speech to describe someone who only thinks about themselves.
Idiom meaning 'to get a big head' or 'to be full of oneself.' Literally 'to become a tengu' (a mythical arrogant creature). Used when someone becomes arrogant after success.
Emphasizing the theatrical, over-the-top behavior.
Means 'exaggerated person' or 'dramatic person.' Describes someone who makes a big deal out of everything.
She is such a prima donna; she makes a fuss over every little thing.
Literally 'a person who wants to be the center of attention.' Directly conveys the attention-seeking aspect.
The loanword プリマドンナ is not commonly used in Japanese outside of specific opera or ballet contexts. Using it to describe a difficult person may cause confusion. Instead, use descriptive phrases like わがままな人 or 気難しい人.
わがまま emphasizes selfishness and demanding behavior, while 気難しい focuses on being hard to please or moody. Choose based on which aspect of 'prima donna' you want to highlight.
That actor is a prima donna; the staff struggle to handle him.
She is a real prima donna.
That guy is a prima donna; he can't work in a team.
He's become a prima donna after just a little success.
That singer is a prima donna, always wearing outrageous outfits to get attention.