Translation guide
The English word "resistance" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. The most common meanings relate to physical or electrical resistance, opposition to authority, and psychological reluctance. This guide breaks down these meanings and provides natural Japanese expressions for each.
The force that opposes motion, flow, or current; the degree to which a material or object resists physical force or electrical current.
The most general term for physical or electrical resistance. Used in physics, engineering, and everyday contexts.
この素材は摩擦抵抗が低い。
This material has low frictional resistance.
電気抵抗を測る。
Measure the electrical resistance.
Specifically refers to drag or resistance in fluid dynamics (air/water resistance). More technical than 抵抗.
空気抗力が大きい。
The air resistance is large.
The act of opposing or fighting against a government, occupying force, or dominant system; organized or individual defiance.
The standard term for resistance against authority, oppression, or unwanted change. Can be used for both organized movements and individual acts.
市民は新しい法律に抵抗した。
The citizens resisted the new law.
占領軍に対する抵抗運動。
A resistance movement against the occupying forces.
Implies defiance or rebellion, often against parents, teachers, or social norms. Stronger emotional connotation than 抵抗.
A feeling of not wanting to do something; mental opposition or hesitation.
Literally 'feeling of resistance'. Commonly used to express reluctance or aversion to an idea or action.
彼は新しい環境に抵抗感がある。
He has a resistance to new environments.
その提案には抵抗感を覚える。
I feel resistance to that proposal.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to be reluctant' or 'not feel like doing'. More colloquial than 抵抗感.
彼はその仕事に気が進まないようだ。
He seems reluctant to do that job.
Literally 'rejection reaction'. Used for a strong, almost instinctive resistance or aversion, often in psychological or medical contexts.
The ability of an organism to withstand the effects of a disease, infection, or medication.
The standard term for biological or medical resistance, such as antibiotic resistance or disease resistance.
この菌は抗生物質に耐性がある。
This bacterium has resistance to antibiotics.
耐性菌が増えている。
Drug-resistant bacteria are increasing.
Refers to the body's overall resistance or immunity to illness. More general than 耐性.
The use of opposing force in exercise, such as weight training or resistance bands.
Used in compound terms like 抵抗運動 (resistance exercise) or 抵抗バンド (resistance band).
抵抗バンドを使ってトレーニングする。
Train using resistance bands.
Means 'load' or 'burden', often used in weight training to refer to the resistance provided by weights.
負荷をかけて筋肉を鍛える。
Apply resistance to train the muscles.
抵抗 is a broad term for resistance, opposition, or physical resistance. 反抗 specifically implies rebellion or defiance against authority, often with an emotional component. Use 反抗 for teenage rebellion or insubordination, and 抵抗 for more neutral or organized opposition.
Avoid directly translating 'resistance' as 抵抗 in all contexts. For psychological reluctance, 抵抗感 or 気が進まない are more natural. For disease resistance, use 耐性 or 抵抗力. Using 抵抗 for everything can sound unnatural or overly formal.
彼は親に反抗して家を出た。
He left home in defiance of his parents.
Loanword from English, used specifically for historical resistance movements (e.g., the French Resistance) or in artistic/political contexts.
フランスのレジスタンスはナチスに抵抗した。
The French Resistance fought against the Nazis.
彼はその考えに拒否反応を示した。
He showed a strong resistance to that idea.
睡眠不足で抵抗力が落ちる。
Lack of sleep lowers your resistance.