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.
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.
彼女はわがままな人で、いつも特別扱いを求める。
She is a prima donna, always demanding special treatment.
Means 'difficult person' or 'hard-to-please person.' Emphasizes the challenging personality rather than selfishness.
あの俳優は気難しい人で、スタッフが扱いに困っている。
That actor is a prima donna; the staff struggle to handle him.
Loanword from Italian via English. Used in performing arts contexts to refer to a temperamental leading lady, but not widely understood in everyday conversation.
彼女はまさにプリマドンナだ。
She is a real prima donna.
Focusing on the inflated ego and sense of superiority.
Means 'conceited person' or 'arrogant person.' Captures the self-importance aspect well.
彼は思い上がった人で、自分の才能を過信している。
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.
あいつは自己中だから、チームワークができない。
That guy is a prima donna; he can't work in a team.
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.
彼は少し成功しただけで天狗になっている。
He's become a prima donna after just a little success.
Emphasizing the theatrical, over-the-top behavior.
Means 'exaggerated person' or 'dramatic person.' Describes someone who makes a big deal out of everything.
彼女は大げさな人で、小さな問題でも大騒ぎする。
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.
あの歌手は注目を浴びたがる人で、いつも奇抜な衣装を着ている。
That singer is a prima donna, always wearing outrageous outfits to get attention.
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.