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.
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'.
人生の虚しさを感じる。
I feel the vanity of life.
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.
新しいバニティを買った。
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.
His actions stem from vanity.
虚栄心が強い人は、他人の評価を気にしすぎる。
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.
彼は自分の容姿にうぬぼれている。
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.
彼の自己陶酔ぶりには呆れる。
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.
彼は見栄を張って高級車を買った。
He bought a luxury car out of vanity.
Meaninglessness. More direct and less poetic than 虚しさ. Often used to describe actions or things that serve no purpose.
そんなことをするのは全くの無意味だ。
Doing such a thing is sheer vanity.
A futile effort. This common phrase directly translates 'vanity' in the sense of a pointless endeavor.
彼の試みは空しい努力に終わった。
His attempt ended in vanity.
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).
長年の研究が徒労に終わった。
Years of research ended in vanity.