Translation guide
Describes a person with schizophrenia or something characterized by contradictory elements. In Japanese, the medical term and the colloquial use for inconsistency are distinct.
He is a person with schizophrenia.
Clinical term for 'schizophrenia patient'. Used in medical contexts.
Treatment for schizophrenia patients often takes time.
Older term, now considered stigmatizing and officially replaced by 統合失調症. Avoid using.
This term is outdated and can be offensive. Use 統合失調症 instead.
People with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations.
Describing actions, policies, or attitudes that are contradictory or rapidly changing.
Means 'contradictory'. Used for statements, actions, or situations that conflict with each other.
I was confused by his contradictory attitude.
Describes speech or logic that is incoherent, disjointed, or all over the place.
Literally 'like a split personality'. Used figuratively for someone who seems to have two conflicting sides.
Can be insensitive if used near actual mental health contexts. Best for clearly metaphorical use.
The old term 精神分裂病 (せいしんぶんれつびょう) is now considered stigmatizing. Always use 統合失調症 (とうごうしっちょうしょう) for the medical condition.
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder.
In English, 'schizophrenic' is often used loosely to mean 'contradictory'. In Japanese, this figurative use is less common and may be misunderstood. Use 矛盾した (contradictory) or 支離滅裂な (incoherent) instead.
That policy is schizophrenic (contradictory).
His explanation was so incoherent I couldn't understand it.
He's like a split personality at work and at home.