Translation guide
The English word "strange" covers several related ideas: unfamiliarity, oddness, eeriness, and suspicion. Japanese uses different words depending on which nuance you want. This guide helps you choose the right one.
Describing something you haven't encountered or don't recognize, without necessarily implying it's bad.
Literally "don't know." The most natural way to say something is unfamiliar or you haven't seen it before.
This town is full of unfamiliar places.
Means "not used to seeing." Used for visual unfamiliarity.
A strange person was standing at the door.
Means "not used to hearing." Used for unfamiliar sounds or words.
I heard a strange sound.
Describing something that deviates from the norm in a noticeable way, often with a neutral or slightly negative tone.
The most common and versatile word for "strange" in the sense of odd or weird. Can be used for people, situations, or things.
His behavior is a bit strange.
It tastes strange.
Can mean "strange" or "funny" depending on context. Often implies something is off or not right, sometimes with a humorous nuance.
More formal/literary than 変. Means "peculiar" or "queer." Often used in writing.
Means "mysterious" or "wondrous." Used when something is strange in a way that arouses curiosity or wonder, not necessarily negative.
Similar to 奇妙 but slightly more colloquial and often used in set phrases. Can sound a bit old-fashioned.
Describing something that feels unsettling, creepy, or gives you an uncomfortable feeling.
Describing something that seems not right, possibly dishonest or untrustworthy.
変 is the most general and neutral for "strange/odd." おかしい can also mean "funny" and often implies something is malfunctioning or not right. 奇妙 is more formal and literary, closer to "peculiar."
a strange person (odd)
a strange/funny person (possibly humorous or off)
a peculiar person (more descriptive, less common in speech)
English "strange" is very broad. Using 変 for everything can sound unnatural. For unfamiliar things, use 知らない or 見慣れない. For eerie things, use 不気味. For suspicious things, use 怪しい.
この機械、動きがおかしい。
This machine is acting strange.
That's a strange story, isn't it?
奇妙な出来事だった。
It was a strange incident.
不思議な夢を見た。
I had a strange dream.
I feel strange.
That house is creepy.
That doll is creepy, isn't it?
A slightly milder version of 気味が悪い, meaning "vaguely creepy" or "somewhat eerie."
I heard a strange, creepy laugh.
That story sounds a bit fishy.
Stronger than 怪しい, meaning "shady" or "sketchy." Often used for people or deals that seem untrustworthy.
That salesman seems really shady.