Translation guide
The feeling or attitude that you are more important than other people. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that describe arrogance, conceit, or an inflated sense of self-worth.
Describing a person's inflated sense of their own importance or superiority.
A common noun meaning conceit or vanity. Often used to describe someone who is full of themselves.
He is very conceited.
Get rid of your self-importance.
A noun meaning conceit or arrogance, implying that someone thinks too highly of themselves.
I'm disgusted by his self-importance.
A formal noun or na-adjective meaning arrogance or haughtiness. Stronger and more negative than 自惚れ.
I hate his arrogant attitude.
The verb form of 自惚れ, meaning to be conceited or to have a swollen head.
He is conceited about his talent.
An idiomatic phrase meaning to get a big head or become conceited, literally 'to become a tengu' (a mythical creature with a long nose).
He's gotten a big head since his success.
Describing behavior that shows an inflated sense of importance.
A common phrase meaning to act important or superior. 偉そう is a na-adjective meaning 'self-important'.
He always acts self-important.
Don't talk so self-importantly.
A verb meaning to be bossy, arrogant, or to throw one's weight around. Often used for someone who acts superior.
An idiomatic phrase meaning to swagger or strut around with an air of self-importance, literally 'to cut the wind with one's shoulders'.
Describing the internal feeling of being more important than others.
A direct translation meaning 'sense of self-importance'. Used in psychological or formal contexts.
People with a strong sense of self-importance are vulnerable to criticism.
A phrase meaning to make oneself look big or important, often used when someone is trying to impress others.
自惚れ (うぬぼれ) is more about vanity and being full of oneself, often based on a specific trait like talent or looks. 傲慢 (ごうまん) is a stronger, more negative term for arrogance and haughtiness, often implying a disregard for others. 傲慢 is more formal and literary.
He is conceited about his intelligence.
He looks down on people with an arrogant attitude.
While 自己重要感 is a direct translation, it sounds technical and is not used in everyday conversation. For most situations, use 自惚れ, 思い上がり, or 偉そうにする instead.
彼は部下に威張っている。
He acts self-important toward his subordinates.
He's strutting around self-importantly since his promotion.
He always tries to make himself seem important.