Translation guide
The feeling of being isolated, estranged, or disconnected from others, society, or oneself. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various terms that emphasize different aspects: psychological estrangement, social isolation, philosophical alienation, or a sense of not belonging.
Expressing a feeling of being disconnected from others, society, or oneself, often with a sense of loneliness or not fitting in.
The most direct and common term for the feeling of alienation. It literally means 'sense of estrangement' and is used for both personal and social contexts.
新しい職場で疎外感を感じている。
I feel a sense of alienation at my new workplace.
彼は社会から疎外感を抱いている。
He harbors a feeling of alienation from society.
Focuses on the feeling of loneliness and isolation, often used when alienation stems from a lack of connection with others.
都会の生活で孤独感が強まった。
My sense of loneliness intensified in city life.
The noun form meaning 'estrangement' or 'alienation', often used in more formal or analytical contexts, such as discussing social or philosophical alienation.
現代社会における疎外の問題を論じる。
Discuss the problem of alienation in modern society.
A colloquial expression meaning 'to be out of place' or 'to not fit in', conveying a sense of alienation in a group setting.
彼はクラスで浮いている。
He doesn't fit in with the class.
Literally 'there is no place to belong', expressing a deep sense of not belonging anywhere, often used to describe social alienation.
学校に居場所がないと感じる。
I feel like I don't belong at school.
Referring to the Marxist idea of workers being alienated from the products of their labor, the labor process, their human nature, and each other.
The standard term in Marxist theory for alienation. It is used in academic and political discourse.
マルクスは労働者の疎外について論じた。
Marx discussed the alienation of workers.
Specifically 'self-alienation', referring to the estrangement from one's own human nature or essence, a key aspect of Marxist alienation.
The act of transferring ownership of property or rights to another person.
The standard legal term for transfer or assignment of property, rights, or claims. It does not carry the emotional connotations of alienation.
土地の所有権を譲渡する。
Transfer the ownership of the land.
Refers to the transfer or movement of rights, property, or registration. Often used in contexts like transferring a company's registered address.
Describing a state of being estranged or distant from someone you were once close to, such as a friend or family member.
Describes a relationship that has become distant or estranged over time. Often used for friendships or family ties that have faded.
彼とは疎遠になってしまった。
I've become estranged from him.
疎遠になっていた友人から突然連絡が来た。
I suddenly got a message from a friend I had lost touch with.
Literally 'to put distance', meaning to distance oneself from someone, often intentionally to create estrangement.
彼女は家族と距離を置いている。
She is distancing herself from her family.
疎外感 (alienation) emphasizes a sense of being excluded or not belonging to a group or society, while 孤独感 (loneliness) focuses on the emotional pain of being alone. You can feel 疎外感 even when surrounded by people, whereas 孤独感 is more about the absence of close relationships.
In everyday conversation, directly using 疎外 or 疎外感 can sound overly formal or psychological. Instead, use phrases like 浮いている or 居場所がない to express a sense of not fitting in.
資本主義は自己疎外を引き起こす。
Capitalism causes self-alienation.
Carry out the procedure for the transfer of copyright.