Translation guide
The English phrase "stick out" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: physically protruding, being noticeable, enduring something, and asserting oneself.
Describing something that extends beyond a surface or boundary, like a nail sticking out of wood or a tongue sticking out.
His ears stick out. · A nail is sticking out of the board. · She stuck her tongue out.
Intransitive verb meaning to stick out, protrude, or jut out. Used for objects that are physically extending outward.
釘が壁から突き出ている。
A nail is sticking out of the wall.
Intransitive verb meaning to project or stick out, often used for something that bulges or protrudes noticeably.
この棚は出っ張りすぎている。
This shelf sticks out too much.
Intransitive verb meaning to stick out from a container or boundary, like food spilling out of a sandwich or paper from a folder.
書類がファイルからはみ出ている。
The papers are sticking out of the file.
Transitive verb meaning to stick something out, like sticking out one's tongue or chin.
彼は舌を突き出した。
He stuck out his tongue.
General verb meaning to put out or stick out. Often used with body parts like tongue (舌を出す) or head (頭を出す).
窓から顔を出さないでください。
Don't stick your head out of the window.
Describing someone or something that is very different from others and therefore easily noticed, often in a negative sense.
He really sticks out in a crowd. · That bright color makes it stick out. · I felt like I stuck out at the formal dinner.
Intransitive verb meaning to stand out or be conspicuous. The most common way to say something sticks out visually or socially.
彼は背が高くて目立つ。
He sticks out because he's tall.
その赤い車はとても目立つ。
That red car really sticks out.
Intransitive verb meaning to be out of place or not fit in, often used when someone feels socially awkward or different.
彼はそのパーティーで浮いていた。
He stuck out at the party.
Intransitive verb meaning to be prominent or stand out, often in a positive sense of being strikingly excellent or distinct.
To continue doing something difficult or unpleasant until it is finished, often used in the phrase "stick it out".
I decided to stick it out at my job. · We stuck out the storm in the basement. · Just stick it out for one more week.
Phrase meaning to see something through to the end, to stick it out. Emphasizes completion despite difficulty.
辛かったけど、最後までやり抜いた。
It was tough, but I stuck it out.
Verb meaning to endure, bear, or put up with something. Often used for sticking out an unpleasant situation.
彼は痛みを我慢した。
He stuck out the pain.
Verb meaning to endure to the end, to stick it out through hardship. Stronger nuance of perseverance.
To refuse to change your opinion or position, often in the phrase "stick out for" something.
They stuck out for a better deal. · She stuck out for her principles.
Phrase meaning to not bend one's assertion, to stick to one's guns. Used when someone insists on something.
彼は自分の意見を主張して曲げなかった。
He stuck out for his opinion.
Verb meaning to stick to one's position, to be stubborn. Can also mean to prop up physically, but here used metaphorically.
彼は最後まで突っ張った。
He stuck out until the end.
Be careful not to directly translate "stick out" in figurative senses. For example, "stick out like a sore thumb" is an idiom that doesn't translate literally. Use 目立つ (medatsu) or 浮く (uku) instead.
彼はその場で浮いていた。
He stuck out like a sore thumb.
For physical protrusion, use 突き出る (tsukideru) or 出っ張る (depparu). For being conspicuous, use 目立つ (medatsu). Mixing them up can cause confusion.
Her talent sticks out.
They stuck out the long winter.