Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'being rash' involves describing impulsive, thoughtless, or reckless behavior. The most common ways are using adjectives like 軽率 (keisotsu) for carelessness, 無謀 (mubou) for recklessness, or verbs like 早まる (hayamaru) for acting hastily. The choice depends on whether you emphasize lack of thought, excessive risk, or premature action.
Describing someone who does something impulsively without considering consequences, often leading to mistakes.
A na-adjective meaning 'rash', 'careless', or 'thoughtless'. It implies a lack of careful consideration. Commonly used to criticize actions or decisions.
彼の軽率な発言が問題を引き起こした。
His rash remark caused problems.
軽率な行動は避けるべきだ。
You should avoid rash actions.
An intransitive verb meaning 'to be hasty' or 'to act prematurely'. Often used in warnings or regrets about jumping to conclusions or acting too quickly.
早まって決断しないでください。
Don't make a rash decision.
早まったことをしてしまった。
I did something rash.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'rashness' or 'imprudence', emphasizing shallow thinking. More formal and less common in everyday speech.
短慮な計画は失敗しやすい。
Rash plans are prone to failure.
Describing behavior that is dangerously bold or disregards safety, often with a sense of foolhardiness.
A na-adjective meaning 'reckless', 'foolhardy', or 'overly bold'. It implies a disregard for danger or impossibility. Often used for actions like reckless driving or impossible challenges.
無謀な運転は事故のもとだ。
Reckless driving causes accidents.
彼は無謀にも嵐の中を出かけた。
He rashly went out in the storm.
A na-adjective or noun meaning 'reckless', 'daredevil', or 'foolhardy'. It has a slightly colloquial feel and often describes a person's character.
Describing someone who acts on a whim without planning, often emotionally driven.
A na-adjective meaning 'impulsive'. It directly describes actions driven by sudden urges. Commonly used in psychology or everyday contexts.
衝動的に買い物をしてしまった。
I made a rash purchase on impulse.
彼は衝動的な性格だ。
He has a rash, impulsive personality.
A noun meaning 'a sudden impulse' or 'whim', often used to explain a rash act that was out of character. It carries a nuance of temporary madness.
Describing actions done too soon, often with a negative outcome due to lack of patience.
A na-adjective or noun meaning 'hasty' or 'premature', used for judgments or decisions made too quickly. Often in the phrase 早計だ (it's rash/hasty).
そう判断するのは早計だ。
It's rash to judge that way.
早計な結論を出すな。
Don't jump to a rash conclusion.
A na-adjective or noun meaning 'hasty', 'impatient', or 'short-tempered'. It describes a personality trait rather than a single action. Often used for people who rush things.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'hasty and slipshod', prioritizing speed over quality. Often contrasted with 巧遅 (こうち, slow but skillful).
軽率 (keisotsu) focuses on carelessness and lack of thought. 無謀 (mubou) emphasizes recklessness and disregard for danger. 衝動的 (shoudouteki) highlights impulsiveness driven by sudden urges. Choose based on the nuance: thoughtless, dangerous, or impulsive.
The English word 'rash' can also mean a skin irritation. In Japanese, that is 発疹 (ほっしん, hasshin) or かぶれ (kabure). Do not use the words in this entry for that meaning.
向こう見ずな若者たちが崖から飛び込んだ。
The rash youths jumped off the cliff.
A noun or na-adjective literally meaning 'not knowing life', i.e., 'fearless of death'. It describes extreme recklessness or daring, often with a hint of admiration or criticism.
命知らずの冒険家が単独で南極を横断した。
The rash adventurer crossed Antarctica alone.
出来心で嘘をついてしまった。
I told a lie on a rash impulse.
A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) meaning 'rushing headlong' or 'reckless impetuosity'. It describes someone who charges forward without thinking.
彼の猪突猛進なやり方には困ったものだ。
His rash, headlong approach is troublesome.
せっかちな人は失敗しやすい。
Rash, impatient people tend to fail.
拙速な仕事は結局やり直しになる。
Rash, hasty work ends up needing to be redone.