Translation guide
The act of angrily telling someone they have done wrong. Japanese has many words for scolding, ranging from mild verbal reprimands to harsh yelling, and the appropriate choice depends on the relationship, severity, and context.
To express that someone is being scolded in a general sense, often by a parent, teacher, or superior.
The most common and neutral verb for scolding, used when someone in authority (parent, teacher, boss) reprimands someone for doing something wrong. It implies a corrective intent.
母は私を遅刻で叱った。
My mother scolded me for being late.
先生は生徒たちを叱った。
The teacher scolded the students.
Means 'to get angry' and can imply scolding when used in the context of expressing anger towards someone's actions. It often carries a stronger emotional tone than 叱る and may not always be corrective.
Can simply mean 'to get angry' without the act of scolding. Context is needed.
父は私の成績を見て怒った。
My father got angry (and scolded me) when he saw my grades.
A variant kanji for 叱る, sometimes used in official contexts or older texts. Same meaning and reading.
上司に𠮟られた。
I was scolded by my boss.
To describe a severe, loud, or angry scolding, often involving shouting.
To shout angrily at someone; to yell at. This implies a loud, harsh scolding, often in a fit of anger.
上司は大声で怒鳴った。
The boss yelled at me loudly.
彼は子供たちに怒鳴った。
He yelled at the children.
To scold severely; to give someone a dressing-down. Stronger than 叱る, implying a thorough and harsh reprimand.
To nag or scold persistently in a grumbling, irritating manner. Often used for a parent or spouse who constantly finds fault.
母は毎日ガミガミ言う。
My mother nags me every day.
To refer to the scolding itself as an event or the words used.
Noun form of 叱る, meaning a scolding or reprimand. Often used in phrases like お叱りを受ける (to receive a scolding).
彼は先生からお叱りを受けた。
He received a scolding from the teacher.
A scolding, complaint, or nagging. Often implies a petty or constant fault-finding, like a parent's nagging.
A lecture or sermon; can mean a long, preachy scolding. Often used when someone gives a moralizing reprimand.
To express the experience of being scolded, often from the recipient's perspective.
Passive form of 叱る, meaning 'to be scolded'. This is the most natural way to say you got scolded.
宿題を忘れて叱られた。
I forgot my homework and got scolded.
Passive of 怒る, meaning 'to get yelled at' or 'to have someone get angry at you'. More emotional than 叱られる.
嘘をついて彼女に怒られた。
I lied and got yelled at by my girlfriend.
Passive form using the variant kanji. Same as 叱られる.
彼は先生に𠮟られた。
He was scolded by the teacher.
To describe a formal reprimand, such as in a workplace or official setting.
A formal reprimand or rebuke. Often used in business or official contexts for a documented scolding.
彼は上司から厳しい叱責を受けた。
He received a stern reprimand from his boss.
A formal reprimand, often used in legal or disciplinary contexts. Less common than 叱責.
叱る (shikaru) implies a corrective, often calm scolding from a position of authority, like a parent or teacher. 怒る (okoru) means 'to get angry' and can include scolding, but it emphasizes the emotional state. Using 怒る may imply the scolder lost their temper, while 叱る suggests a more controlled reprimand.
In very casual conversation, Japanese speakers might simply say 怒られた (I got yelled at) or 注意された (I was warned/cautioned) instead of using a direct equivalent of 'scold'. Overusing 叱る in casual speech can sound stiff.
部長はミスをした社員を叱り飛ばした。
The department head gave the employee who made a mistake a severe scolding.
I'm fed up with my father's scolding.
母から長い説教をされた。
I got a long lecture/scolding from my mother.
He received a disciplinary reprimand.