Translation guide
A psychological attitude where someone believes they are better than others, often to mask insecurity. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific terms and phrases describing arrogance, condescension, or an inflated sense of self-importance.
Describing a person's deep-seated belief that they are superior to others, often as a defense mechanism.
Literally 'feeling of superiority'. This is the most direct and common term for a superiority complex in everyday Japanese. It refers to the subjective sense of being better than others.
彼は優越感が強い。
He has a strong superiority complex.
優越感に浸っている。
She is basking in a feeling of superiority.
A direct loan translation of 'superiority complex'. Used in psychological contexts or when explicitly referencing Adlerian psychology. Less common in casual speech.
彼の行動は優越コンプレックスから来ている。
His behavior stems from a superiority complex.
Literally 'a mass of superiority feelings'. An emphatic, somewhat colloquial way to describe someone who is full of themselves.
あの人は優越感の塊だ。
That person is a walking superiority complex.
Describing someone who acts superior, looks down on others, or is condescending.
Arrogance, haughtiness. Describes an attitude of looking down on others. Often used for personality traits.
彼の傲慢な態度には我慢できない。
I can't stand his arrogant attitude.
傲慢さが彼の欠点だ。
His arrogance is his flaw.
Arrogant, overbearing. Similar to 傲慢 but often implies a more active, domineering attitude.
Proud, haughty. Often used in literary or formal contexts. Can imply an inflated sense of self-importance.
Literally 'to hang on one's nose'. An idiomatic phrase meaning to be proud of something and look down on others because of it. Often used with a specific trait or achievement.
彼は学歴を鼻にかけている。
He is arrogant about his academic background.
Describing someone who thinks they are more important or special than they really are.
Conceit, presumption. Refers to an inflated sense of one's own importance or abilities. Often used as a criticism.
彼の思い上がりには呆れる。
I'm disgusted by his conceit.
思い上がりも甚だしい。
That's the height of conceit.
Self-conceit, vanity. Often used for someone who is overly pleased with themselves, especially regarding appearance or abilities.
Literally 'to become a tengu' (a mythical creature with a long nose). An idiomatic expression meaning to become conceited or big-headed, often after success or praise.
優越感 (superiority feeling) is an internal sense of being better, while 傲慢 (arrogance) is the outward expression of that feeling through attitude or behavior. A person can have 優越感 without being openly 傲慢, but the two often go together.
彼は内心では優越感を持っているが、傲慢な態度は見せない。
He has a superiority complex inside, but doesn't show an arrogant attitude.
The English phrase 'superiority complex' is often translated literally as 優越コンプレックス, but this sounds technical and is not commonly used in everyday conversation. For natural Japanese, use 優越感 or describe the specific behavior (e.g., 上から目線, 傲慢).
Literally 'looking down from above'. A very common phrase for a condescending or patronizing attitude. Implies the person acts as if they are superior.
彼の上から目線の発言に腹が立った。
I got angry at his condescending remarks.
上から目線で話さないでください。
Please don't talk down to me.
彼は部下に対して横柄だ。
He is overbearing toward his subordinates.
高慢な態度を改めるべきだ。
You should change your haughty attitude.
彼は自分の才能に自惚れている。
He is conceited about his talent.
ちょっと褒められただけで天狗になるな。
Don't get a big head just because you were praised a little.