Translation guide
The English word "vanity" covers several distinct concepts: excessive pride in appearance or achievements, the futility of something, and a bathroom cabinet. This guide focuses on the first two meanings, which are most relevant for learners. The furniture sense is a direct loanword.
Describing a person who is overly concerned with their looks or accomplishments, often in a self-absorbed way.
The most direct translation for 'vanity' as a character trait. It refers to a desire for admiration and a concern with outward appearances. Often used in psychological or descriptive contexts.
His actions stem from vanity.
People with strong vanity care too much about others' opinions.
Conceit or self-conceit. Implies an inflated sense of one's own attractiveness or ability. More colloquial than 虚栄心.
He is vain about his looks.
Narcissism or self-admiration. Stronger than 虚栄心, often implying an unhealthy obsession with oneself. Used in literary or psychological contexts.
I'm disgusted by his vanity.
To show off or put on airs, often by spending money or boasting to appear better than one is. Focuses on the act of displaying vanity rather than the trait itself.
He bought a luxury car out of vanity.
Expressing that an effort, pursuit, or thing is pointless, empty, or without real value.
The noun form of 'empty' or 'futile'. Captures the feeling of emptiness or meaninglessness. Commonly used in phrases like 'the vanity of life'.
I feel the vanity of life.
Meaninglessness. More direct and less poetic than 虚しさ. Often used to describe actions or things that serve no purpose.
A futile effort. This common phrase directly translates 'vanity' in the sense of a pointless endeavor.
Fruitless labor. A more formal or literary term for wasted effort. Often used in set phrases like 徒労に終わる (end in vain).
The English word 'vanity' can also refer to a bathroom cabinet with a sink. In Japanese, this is called 洗面化粧台 (せんめんけしょうだい) or simply バニティ (a loanword from English). Using 虚栄心 in this context would be completely wrong.
I bought a new vanity.
虚栄心 is a general term for vanity as a desire for admiration. うぬぼれ is more about being conceited or smug about one's own qualities. 自己陶酔 is stronger, implying narcissistic self-absorption. For everyday use, 虚栄心 is the safest choice.
Doing such a thing is sheer vanity.
His attempt ended in vanity.
Years of research ended in vanity.