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.
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.
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.
The papers are sticking out of the file.
Transitive verb meaning to stick something out, like sticking out one's tongue or chin.
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).
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.
He sticks out because he's tall.
Intransitive verb meaning to be out of place or not fit in, often used when someone feels socially awkward or different.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
That red car really sticks out.
He stuck out at the party.
彼女の才能は際立っている。
Her talent sticks out.
They stuck out the long winter.
He stuck out until the end.