Translation guide
The English word "temperament" can refer to a person's innate nature, their moodiness or emotional volatility, or a specific type of personality. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression based on the intended meaning.
Describing a person's fundamental character or natural tendencies, often in a neutral or positive sense.
The most direct and common translation for 'temperament' in the sense of innate disposition. Used in both everyday and psychological contexts.
彼は穏やかな気質の持ち主だ。
He has a calm temperament.
気質は生まれつきのものだ。
Temperament is something you're born with.
More commonly means 'personality' or 'character', but can be used for 'temperament' when referring to general disposition. Slightly broader than 気質.
彼女は明るい性格だ。
She has a cheerful temperament.
Emphasizes inborn nature or innate qualities. Often used in literary or philosophical contexts.
彼の芸術家としての天性は幼い頃から現れていた。
His artistic temperament was evident from a young age.
Referring to a tendency to be easily irritated, moody, or emotionally unstable.
Often used to describe a person's emotional nature, especially when it is intense or difficult. Can imply a fiery or passionate temperament.
彼は激しい気性の持ち主だ。
He has a fiery temperament.
彼女の気性の激しさには手を焼く。
I have trouble dealing with her volatile temperament.
Colloquial term for a moody person. Describes someone whose mood changes frequently and unpredictably.
Describes someone with intense emotional ups and downs. A more descriptive phrase than a single word.
彼は感情の起伏が激しい。
He has a very changeable temperament.
Describing a temperament associated with a particular trait or profession.
Attach to a noun to describe a temperament typical of that group. Very productive pattern.
彼は職人気質だ。
He has a craftsman's temperament.
芸術家気質の人と働くのは難しい。
It's difficult to work with someone of an artistic temperament.
気質 (きしつ) is the closest to 'temperament' as an innate disposition, often used in psychology. 性格 (せいかく) is broader, meaning 'personality' or 'character', and is more common in daily conversation. 気性 (きしょう) often implies emotional intensity or volatility. Use 気質 for neutral descriptions of nature, 性格 for overall personality, and 気性 when highlighting emotional reactivity.
English uses 'temperament' in phrases like 'artistic temperament' or 'nervous temperament'. In Japanese, these are often expressed with compound nouns like 芸術家気質 or specific adjectives like 神経質. Avoid direct translations like 芸術的な気質, which can sound unnatural.
That person is moody, so they're hard to get along with.
Specifically means a nervous or high-strung temperament. Very common.
彼は神経質で、小さなことでも気にする。
He has a nervous temperament and worries about small things.