Translation guide
The attitude of being morally superior and judgmental toward others. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns describing the person or attitude, adjectives, idiomatic phrases, and behavioral descriptions.
Describing the general concept of self-righteousness as a personality trait or attitude.
The most direct noun for self-righteousness, implying a self-centered belief in one's own righteousness, often ignoring others' perspectives.
彼の独善にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his self-righteousness.
A noun or na-adjective describing someone who is self-satisfied and self-righteous, often without considering others' feelings or opinions.
彼女の独り善がりな態度が嫌いだ。
I dislike her self-righteous attitude.
Literally 'strong sense of justice.' Can imply self-righteousness when the person imposes their views on others. Context-dependent.
Not inherently negative; can simply mean a strong moral compass. Use context to convey self-righteousness.
彼は正義感が強すぎて、周りと衝突することが多い。
He has such a strong sense of justice that he often clashes with others.
Self-justification; the act of rationalizing one's own actions as right. More about the process than the trait.
彼の自己正当化には理由がない。
His self-justification has no basis.
Adjectives and phrases to describe someone who acts self-righteous.
Na-adjective meaning self-righteous, often used to describe attitudes or behavior.
彼の独善的な発言に皆が引いた。
Everyone was put off by his self-righteous remarks.
Attributive form of 独り善がり, directly modifying nouns to mean self-righteous or self-satisfied.
独り善がりな人とは話したくない。
I don't want to talk to self-righteous people.
Descriptive phrase: 'convinced that one is right.' Clearly conveys self-righteousness without a specific term.
彼はいつも自分が正しいと思い込んでいる。
He always thinks he's right.
Means 'acting important' or 'condescending.' Can imply self-righteousness when combined with moral contexts.
Broader than self-righteousness; can just mean arrogant. Use in moralizing contexts.
彼の偉そうな説教には我慢できない。
I can't stand his self-righteous preaching.
Verbs and phrases describing self-righteous behavior, such as lecturing or judging others.
To preach or lecture someone, often with a self-righteous tone.
彼はいつも人に説教してばかりいる。
He's always lecturing people.
To wield sound arguments like a weapon; implies using logic self-righteously to dominate others.
彼は正論を振りかざして相手を黙らせる。
He silences others by wielding his self-righteous logic.
To speak from a condescending perspective; often used when someone acts morally superior.
彼女はいつも上から目線でアドバイスする。
She always gives advice in a condescending, self-righteous way.
To act like a good person; to be sanctimonious. Implies pretending to be morally superior.
彼の善人ぶった態度が鼻につく。
His sanctimonious attitude is irritating.
Common sayings that capture the essence of self-righteousness.
Proverb: 'Can't even shoo the flies off one's own head.' Used to criticize someone who is self-righteous but oblivious to their own faults.
自分の頭の上の蠅も追えないくせに、よく人に説教できるね。
You can't even shoo the flies off your own head, yet you lecture others.
Vulgar proverb: 'The eye booger laughs at the nose booger.' Similar to 'the pot calling the kettle black,' used when someone self-righteously criticizes another for a similar fault.
あいつが人のことを言える立場か。目くそ鼻くそを笑うとはこのことだ。
Who is he to talk? It's the pot calling the kettle black.
Direct translations like 自己正義 (jikoseigi) are not standard Japanese. Stick to the terms and phrases provided.
✕ 自己正義
Not a natural Japanese word.
独善 (dokuzen) is more formal and often used in written or analytical contexts. 独り善がり (hitoriyogari) is more colloquial and emphasizes self-satisfaction. Both can be used for self-righteousness, but 独善 is closer to the abstract concept, while 独り善がり describes a person's attitude more vividly.
Japanese often conveys self-righteousness through tone and context rather than a single word. Phrases like 正義感が強い (strong sense of justice) or 説教する (to lecture) can imply self-righteousness when the situation involves imposing one's views on others.