Translation guide
A person who boasts or brags. Japanese has several nouns and descriptive phrases for such a person, ranging from common to literary.
Describing someone who often brags about achievements, possessions, or abilities.
Common, neutral term for a boaster. Can be used for both mild and habitual bragging.
彼は自慢屋だから、話半分に聞いたほうがいい。
He's a boaster, so you should take what he says with a grain of salt.
Describing someone boasting on a particular occasion, not necessarily a habitual trait.
Descriptive: 'a person who is boasting (right now)'. Suitable for temporary behavior.
隣の席の自慢している人の話がうるさい。
The boaster at the next table is annoying.
自慢屋 is a straightforward boaster, while ほら吹き implies exaggeration or lying. ほら吹き is more colloquial and vivid.
彼は自慢屋だが、嘘は言わない。
He's a boaster, but he doesn't lie.
あのほら吹きの話は信じるな。
Don't believe that boaster's stories.
Direct translations like '誇張者' (exaggerator) are not natural for 'boaster'. Use the terms above instead.
Literally 'conch blower'; a boaster who tells tall tales or exaggerates. Slightly more colorful than 自慢屋.
あの人はほら吹きで、自分の冒険話をよくする。
That person is a boaster who often tells tall tales about his adventures.
Descriptive phrase: 'a person who does nothing but boast'. Natural and clear.
自慢ばかりする人と話すのは疲れる。
Talking with a boaster is tiring.
Literary/formal: 'a person who makes grandiose statements'. Used in writing or formal contexts.
彼は大言壮語する人だが、実績は伴っていない。
He is a boaster, but his achievements don't match his words.
Descriptive: 'a person who speaks boastfully'. Emphasizes the manner of speaking.
自慢げに話す人を見ると、少し引いてしまう。
When I see a boaster, I tend to distance myself a little.