Translation guide
The English word "behavior" covers a wide range of meanings, from how someone acts in general to specific conduct in a situation. In Japanese, the best translation depends on whether you're talking about manners, actions, natural phenomena, or psychological patterns. This guide helps you choose the right word or phrase for each context.
Describing how a person or animal acts, especially in terms of manners or social norms.
The most common and neutral word for 'behavior' as actions or conduct. It can refer to both good and bad behavior, and is used in everyday conversation as well as formal contexts.
彼の行動はいつも礼儀正しい。
His behavior is always polite.
子供の行動を観察する。
Observe the child's behavior.
Refers to behavior in terms of manners, demeanor, or how one carries oneself. It often implies a social setting and can be used for both people and animals. Slightly more formal than 行動.
彼女の振る舞いは上品だ。
Her behavior is elegant.
パーティーでの振る舞いに気をつけて。
Be careful of your behavior at the party.
Specifically refers to one's words and actions together. Often used when evaluating someone's overall conduct, especially in professional or disciplinary contexts.
彼の言動には注意が必要だ。
We need to be careful about his behavior (words and actions).
社会人としての言動を身につける。
Learn proper behavior as a working adult.
Often translated as 'attitude,' but can refer to outward behavior or demeanor, especially when it reflects an inner state. It can carry a negative connotation if the behavior is defiant or disrespectful.
授業中の態度が悪い。
His behavior in class is bad.
彼の態度は急に冷たくなった。
His behavior suddenly turned cold.
Referring to what someone does in a particular instance, often with a focus on the action itself.
Means 'act' or 'deed,' and is used for a specific action or behavior, often with moral or legal implications. It can be neutral, but is common in discussions of right and wrong.
彼の行為は犯罪にあたる。
His behavior constitutes a crime.
親切な行為に感謝します。
I appreciate your kind behavior.
Also works for specific actions, especially when describing a sequence of behaviors or a pattern.
Describing the actions or reactions of animals, insects, or natural phenomena.
Used for animal behavior in scientific or everyday contexts.
犬の行動を研究する。
Study the behavior of dogs.
鳥の行動パターンを観察した。
We observed the behavior patterns of birds.
Refers to the habitual behavior or instincts of animals, often used in biology.
Means 'ecology' or 'mode of life,' and can refer to the natural behavior of organisms in their environment.
Referring to behavior as a psychological concept, including conditioned responses or patterns.
The standard term in psychology for behavior, as in behaviorism or behavioral therapy.
行動心理学を勉強している。
I'm studying behavioral psychology.
その行動は条件付けの結果だ。
That behavior is the result of conditioning.
Can be used in psychological contexts to describe observable behavior, but less technical than 行動.
Emphasizing socially acceptable conduct, etiquette, or good behavior.
Specifically refers to manners or etiquette, often used for children or in formal settings. 'Good behavior' is 行儀がいい, 'bad behavior' is 行儀が悪い.
行儀よく座りなさい。
Sit properly (behave well).
彼は行儀が悪い。
He has bad manners (bad behavior).
Loanword from English 'manners,' used for social etiquette, especially in public or dining situations.
テーブルマナーを守る。
Observe table manners (proper behavior at the table).
Refers to traditional etiquette, manners, or ceremonial rules, such as tea ceremony or formal occasions.
Describing recurring behavior or a person's typical way of acting.
Directly translates to 'behavior pattern,' used in both casual and technical contexts.
彼の行動パターンは予測しやすい。
His behavior patterns are easy to predict.
Means 'tendency' or 'inclination,' and can be used to describe behavioral trends.
行動 is the most general and neutral term for actions or conduct. 振る舞い focuses on observable demeanor and manners, often in social contexts. 態度 can imply an underlying attitude and is often used when behavior reflects a person's mindset, sometimes with a negative nuance.
In English, 'behavior' can be a grade category in school. In Japanese, this is usually 生活態度 (せいかつたいど) or 行動の評価 (こうどうのひょうか), not just 行動.
彼の奇妙な行動が目立った。
His strange behavior stood out.
猫の習性について学ぶ。
Learn about the behavior of cats.
この虫の生態はまだ解明されていない。
The behavior of this insect has not yet been clarified.
子供の振る舞いから心理状態を読み取る。
Infer the child's psychological state from their behavior.
公共の場でのマナーが悪い。
Bad behavior in public places.
Learn the etiquette (proper behavior) of tea ceremony.
最近の若者の行動傾向を調査する。
Investigate the behavioral tendencies of young people today.