Translation guide
The English adjective 'wooden' describes something made of wood, or metaphorically, something stiff, awkward, or lacking grace. This guide covers both literal and figurative uses, with natural Japanese equivalents.
Describing an object that is constructed from wood.
The most common and neutral way to say 'wooden' for objects. It directly means 'made of wood'.
これは木製のテーブルです。
This is a wooden table.
木製の家具が好きです。
I like wooden furniture.
Describing a person's movement, expression, performance, or style that is rigid and ungraceful.
Do not use 木製の or 木の to describe a person's awkwardness. Those only mean 'made of wood'. Use ぎこちない or 堅い instead.
彼はぎこちないダンサーだ。
He is a wooden dancer.
A more casual and common alternative, literally 'of wood'. Often used in everyday speech.
木のスプーンを使ってください。
Please use a wooden spoon.
子供に木のおもちゃをあげた。
I gave the child a wooden toy.
Loanword from English, used in product names or stylish contexts, but less natural in general description.
ウッドのアクセサリーが流行っている。
Wooden accessories are trendy.
An i-adjective meaning awkward, clumsy, or stiff. Used for movements, speech, or social interactions.
彼の動きはまだぎこちない。
His movements are still wooden.
ぎこちない笑顔を見せた。
She gave a wooden smile.
Literally 'hard/stiff', can describe wooden expressions or writing style. Often used for formal or nervous stiffness.
彼の演技はまだ堅い。
His acting is still wooden.
堅い文章だね。
The writing is wooden, isn't it?
Means 'unnatural'. Can be used for wooden dialogue or behavior that lacks spontaneity.
その会話は不自然に聞こえた。
The conversation sounded wooden.
Specifically for wooden delivery of lines (acting, reading aloud), meaning reading in a monotone without emotion.
彼のセリフは棒読みだった。
His lines were delivered in a wooden manner.