Translation guide
How to express 'talking big' in Japanese, from casual bragging to formal grandstanding.
He's always talking big.
Casual, common phrase for empty boasting.
To talk about one's achievements, abilities, or possessions in a proud, self-aggrandizing way, often in informal settings.
The most common and neutral way to say 'to boast' or 'to brag'. Can be used for oneself or others.
He's always bragging about his car.
To act big, throw one's weight around; implies arrogance and a show of superiority, not just words.
Literally 'to beat a big mouth'; means to talk big, make exaggerated claims or empty boasts.
To tell tall tales, to boast in a way that is clearly exaggerated or untrue. More like 'to blow smoke'.
He's talking big again.
To promise or declare something in an exaggerated, often insincere or unachievable way, especially in public or formal contexts.
A formal, four-character compound meaning 'to talk big' or 'to make grandiose statements'. Often used in political or business contexts.
I'm fed up with his big talk.
A straightforward, slightly colloquial phrase meaning 'to say big things'. Can be used for both positive ambition and empty boasting.
To declare proudly or boastfully, often about one's future plans or abilities. Can be used in both positive and negative senses.
He talked big, saying he could do it alone.
To speak in a way that shows an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or knowledge, often using difficult words or a condescending tone.
自慢する focuses on the act of boasting about specific things (possessions, achievements), while 威張る describes an arrogant attitude or behavior, often without specific content. 大口を叩く is specifically for exaggerated or empty talk.
Directly translating 'talk big' as 大きく話す (ookiku hanasu) is unnatural. Use the idiomatic expressions provided.
Don't talk big unless you can back it up.
He talks big, but he's actually a coward.
あいつは金持ちになったからって威張っている。
He's been talking big ever since he got rich.
He talks big, but can't actually do anything.
He often talks big, but doesn't follow through.
I can't stand his big talk.