Translation guide
Describes a person who seeks attention by displaying their abilities or possessions, or the act of doing so. Japanese has many colorful nouns and verbs, ranging from mild teasing to strong criticism.
To refer to someone who habitually seeks attention by flaunting skills, knowledge, or possessions.
A common, slightly teasing term for someone who always wants to stand out. Literally 'person who wants to be conspicuous'.
彼は本当に目立ちたがり屋だね。
He's such a show-off, isn't he?
To describe the behavior of flaunting skills, knowledge, or possessions.
To refer to the act or instance of showing off as a noun.
Noun form of 見せびらかす. The act of flaunting something.
彼の新しい車の見せびらかしにはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his showing off of his new car.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'show-off' in all contexts. The best choice depends on whether you mean a person, an action, or a specific nuance like bragging vs. trying to look cool.
目立ちたがり屋 focuses on the desire to be noticed, while 自慢屋 emphasizes boasting about specific achievements or possessions. The former is more about personality, the latter about behavior.
Literally 'braggart'. Emphasizes boasting about achievements or possessions.
彼女は自慢屋だから、新しい車の話ばかりする。
She's a show-off, so she only talks about her new car.
Refers to someone who butts in or shows off by being overly forward. Often implies meddling.
あの出しゃばりがまた会議を仕切っている。
That show-off is running the meeting again.
Casual, often derogatory. Someone who tries too hard to look cool. Similar to 'poser'.
彼はかっこつけだから、いつもサングラスをかけている。
He's a show-off, so he always wears sunglasses.
Literally 'person who flaunts things'. Less common, but directly translates the idea of showing off possessions.
彼は見せびらかし屋で、新しい時計をみんなに見せる。
He's a show-off, showing everyone his new watch.
Transitive verb meaning to flaunt or show off something. Often used for possessions.
彼は新しいスマホを見せびらかした。
He showed off his new smartphone.
To boast or brag. Can be used for skills, achievements, or possessions.
彼は自分の成功を自慢する。
He shows off his success.
To try to stand out. Describes the intention behind showing off.
彼女はパーティーで目立とうとして、派手な服を着た。
She tried to show off at the party by wearing flashy clothes.
Casual verb meaning to try to look cool or show off. Often used negatively.
彼は女の子の前でかっこつけた。
He showed off in front of the girls.
To flaunt or show off, often with a nuance of arrogance. Stronger than 見せびらかす.
彼は知識をひけらかすのが好きだ。
He likes to show off his knowledge.
Boasting; pride. Often used in compounds like 自慢話 (boastful story).
彼の自慢話はいつも長い。
His show-off stories are always long.
Can also refer to the act of butting in or showing off. Used as a noun.
彼の出しゃばりには我慢できない。
I can't stand his showing off.