Translation guide
Expressing contempt, disdain, or looking down on someone or something. Japanese uses various nouns, verbs, and adjectives depending on the nuance and formality.
Expressing a feeling that someone or something is worthless or despicable.
The most common and neutral noun for scorn or contempt. Can be used in both spoken and written contexts.
彼は私を軽蔑の目で見た。
He looked at me with scorn.
彼女は嘘つきを軽蔑している。
She scorns liars.
A verb meaning to scorn or despise, often with a nuance of looking down on someone. Slightly more literary than 軽蔑する.
彼は他人を蔑むような態度をとる。
He takes an attitude of scorning others.
A stronger, more formal noun for scorn or contempt, often used in written or formal contexts.
その発言は侮蔑に満ちていた。
The remark was full of scorn.
Rejecting something with contempt, as if it is beneath consideration.
Literally 'to kick away', meaning to scornfully reject or dismiss an idea, proposal, or person.
彼は私の提案を一蹴した。
He scornfully rejected my proposal.
To treat with scorn, to sniff at; implies a haughty, dismissive attitude.
彼女は私の助言を鼻であしらった。
She scorned my advice.
Expressing scorn through laughter or ridicule.
Scornful laughter, derision. Often used as a noun or with する.
彼の失敗は嘲笑の的になった。
His failure became an object of scorn.
To laugh scornfully at someone; a verb with a strong nuance of contempt.
Viewing someone as inferior and treating them with scorn.
To look down on, to despise. Commonly used in everyday speech.
彼はいつも人を見下している。
He always scorns other people.
To underestimate and scorn, to think little of. Often used when someone is not taken seriously.
軽蔑 (けいべつ) is the general term for scorn/contempt and is suitable for most situations. 侮蔑 (ぶべつ) is stronger and more formal, often implying insult along with contempt. Use 軽蔑 in everyday conversation and 侮蔑 in writing or formal speech.
English 'scorn' as a verb can often be translated with 軽蔑する, but in many cases a more natural Japanese expression uses a phrase like 見下す or 鼻であしらう. Avoid literal translations like 'scorn someone' → 人を軽蔑する in all contexts; choose the phrase that matches the nuance.
彼はクラス全体の軽蔑の的だ。
He is the scorn of the whole class.
彼女は私の考えを嘲笑した。
She poured scorn on my ideas.
彼らは私の努力を嘲笑った。
They scorned my efforts.
相手を見くびると痛い目にあう。
If you scorn your opponent, you'll regret it.