Translation guide
Expressing arrogance, looking down on others, or acting superior in Japanese.
Describing someone who behaves as if they are better than others.
To act bossy, throw one's weight around, or be arrogant. Very common.
Expressing contempt or disdain for others.
Acting superior in a pretentious way.
To put on airs, to be pretentious or affected.
威張る is the most common and casual way to say someone is acting haughty or bossy. 高慢 describes a proud, haughty character and is more formal. 横柄 implies an overbearing, rude attitude, often in behavior or speech.
English 'be haughty' is often expressed with adjectives or verbs in Japanese, not a direct copula construction. Using 高慢である is grammatically correct but sounds stiff; 高慢だ or 威張っている is more natural.
He's always acting haughty.
Describes a haughty, proud, or arrogant attitude. Slightly more formal.
彼女は高慢な態度をとる。
She takes a haughty attitude.
Arrogant and overbearing, often implying rudeness.
彼の横柄な物言いが嫌いだ。
I hate his haughty way of speaking.
Stronger term for arrogance, often used in literary or formal contexts.
傲慢な態度は人を遠ざける。
A haughty attitude pushes people away.
To look down on someone, to despise. Very common.
彼は他人を見下す癖がある。
He has a habit of looking down on others.
To scorn or despise. Stronger than 見下す.
彼女は私を軽蔑しているようだ。
She seems to be haughty toward me.
To be proud and haughty about something, often one's status or achievements. Idiomatic.
彼は学歴を鼻にかけている。
He is haughty about his academic background.
彼女はいつも気取っている。
She's always putting on airs.
Slang for acting cool or haughty, often used among young people.
あいつ、すかしてるよな。
That guy is so haughty.