Translation guide
Describes someone who acts hastily without thinking, often leading to mistakes or trouble. Japanese has several common expressions ranging from mild to strong, with nuances of recklessness, thoughtlessness, or impulsiveness.
To describe a person who takes unnecessary risks or acts impulsively, often with negative consequences.
Means 'reckless, daredevil' person. 向こう見ず literally 'not seeing the other side', implying a lack of foresight. Slightly more colloquial than 無謀.
あの向こう見ずな人はいつも事故を起こす。
That rash person always causes accidents.
Means 'careless, thoughtless person'. 軽率 implies acting without due consideration, often leading to mistakes. Common in formal and written contexts.
彼女は軽率な人だから、重要な仕事は任せられない。
She is a rash person, so I can't entrust her with important tasks.
Means 'impatient, hasty person'. せっかち describes someone who rushes into things without patience. Often used for personality traits.
彼はせっかちな人で、いつも結論を急ぐ。
He is a rash person who always jumps to conclusions.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'a person who rushes headlong'. 猪突猛進 literally 'boar rush, fierce advance'. Vivid and somewhat literary.
彼の猪突猛進な性格が失敗を招いた。
His rash personality led to failure.
To describe someone who acts on immediate desires or emotions without forethought.
Means 'impulsive person'. 衝動的 is the standard term for acting on impulse. Suitable for both casual and formal contexts.
彼は衝動的な人で、よく考えずに買い物をする。
He is a rash person who often shops without thinking.
Means 'short-tempered, quick-tempered person'. 短気 implies a tendency to get angry or act rashly due to impatience. Often used for personality.
短気な人は失敗しやすい。
Rash people tend to fail easily.
Descriptive phrase: 'a person who acts without thinking about the consequences'. 後先 (あとさき) means 'before and after, consequences'. Natural in spoken Japanese.
彼は後先考えずに行動する人だ。
He is a rash person who acts without considering the consequences.
To describe someone who speaks or acts without regard for others' feelings or the situation.
Means 'indiscreet, thoughtless person'. 無分別 (むふんべつ) implies lack of judgment or discretion. Often used for rash speech or actions.
無分別な人はすぐに秘密をばらす。
A rash person quickly reveals secrets.
Colloquial: 'thoughtless person'. 考えなし literally 'without thought'. Casual and direct.
あの考えなしの人はまた失言した。
That rash person made another gaffe.
Idiom: 'a person with a loose tongue'. 口が軽い means 'talkative, unable to keep secrets'. Implies rashness in speech.
彼は口が軽い人だから、大事な話はしないほうがいい。
He is a rash person, so you shouldn't tell him important things.
無謀 emphasizes recklessness and disregard for danger. 軽率 focuses on carelessness and lack of thought. 衝動的 highlights acting on impulse. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
無謀な運転は事故のもとだ。
Reckless driving causes accidents.
軽率な発言で彼を怒らせた。
I angered him with a careless remark.
衝動的に辞表を出した。
I impulsively handed in my resignation.
The English word 'rash' can mean 'skin irritation' (発疹) or 'hasty'. Do not use 発疹 to describe a person. Use the adjectives above.