Translation guide
This English phrase describes the act of deliberately ignoring or not paying attention to someone or something. In Japanese, the most natural way to express this depends on whether you are ignoring a person, a remark, or a situation, and whether the ignoring is intentional or simply a lack of awareness.
To intentionally pay no attention to someone, often to show displeasure or to avoid interaction.
The most direct and common way to say 'ignore' or 'take no notice of' a person or their actions. It implies a deliberate act.
彼は私の挨拶を無視した。
He took no notice of my greeting.
She is completely ignoring his presence.
Literally 'to pretend not to know'. Used when someone deliberately acts as if they haven't noticed something or someone. More colloquial than 無視する.
彼は私を見ても知らんぷりをした。
Even though he saw me, he pretended not to notice.
Literally 'to pretend to see and not see'. Used when someone deliberately ignores something they have clearly witnessed, often out of a desire to avoid involvement.
彼はいじめを見て見ぬふりをした。
He turned a blind eye to the bullying.
Literally 'to not make someone a partner'. Means to refuse to engage with someone, to not take them seriously, or to give them the cold shoulder.
彼は私の冗談を全く相手にしなかった。
He didn't pay any attention to my joke.
To be unaware of or to disregard what is happening around you, often without deliberate intent.
Literally 'to not keep in mind'. Used when someone doesn't pay attention to or doesn't care about something, often minor things or background noise.
彼は周りの騒音を気に留めなかった。
He took no notice of the noise around him.
Means 'to not notice' or 'to be unaware of'. This implies a lack of perception rather than intentional ignoring.
彼女は私が部屋に入ったことに気がつかなかった。
She took no notice of me entering the room. (She didn't notice.)
Literally 'to not pay attention'. A more formal or written way to say someone is not paying attention to something.
運転手は道路標識に注意を払わなかった。
The driver took no notice of the road signs.
To deliberately disregard instructions, advice, or regulations.
Also used for ignoring non-personal things like rules or advice.
彼は医者の忠告を無視した。
He ignored the doctor's advice.
Literally 'to let it flow past one's ears'. Means to listen but not take seriously, to ignore what someone says.
彼女は私の警告を聞き流した。
She took no notice of my warning.
Do not translate 'taking no notice of' literally as 通知を取らない or similar. The natural Japanese expressions depend heavily on context and intent.
無視する implies a deliberate act of ignoring, while 気がつかない means simply not noticing something. Using 無視する when you mean you didn't notice can sound rude or accusatory.