Translation guide
Complacency refers to a feeling of self-satisfaction, often without awareness of potential dangers or deficiencies. In Japanese, it is expressed through words describing carelessness, overconfidence, or a false sense of security.
A state of being content with oneself or a situation, leading to a lack of vigilance or effort.
Refers to overconfidence or arrogance that leads to carelessness. Often used in warnings against becoming too proud.
A false sense of security, not realizing that a situation is risky or could change for the worse.
Literally 'lacking a sense of crisis', used to describe someone who is too relaxed in a dangerous situation.
彼らは危機感が足りない。
They are too complacent about the risks.
慢心 emphasizes arrogance or overconfidence as the cause of carelessness, while 油断 focuses on the state of being off guard. 油断 is more common in everyday warnings.
慢心してはいけない。
Don't get overconfident.
油断してはいけない。
Don't let your guard down.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'complacency'. Translating it directly as 自己満足 or 安心 may not convey the negative nuance of carelessness. Choose the expression based on the specific context.
油断は事故につながる。
Complacency can lead to accidents.
慢心を戒めなければならない。
We must guard against complacency.
慢心は失敗のもとだ。
Complacency is the root of failure.
成功に慢心してはいけない。
Don't become complacent after success.
Means carelessness or letting one's guard down. Often used in set phrases like 油断大敵 (complacency is one's worst enemy).
油断大敵。
Complacency is one's worst enemy.
ちょっと油断したら、財布を盗まれた。
I let my guard down for a moment and my wallet was stolen.
Describes a state of being completely at ease, often to the point of carelessness.
彼は安心しきって、準備を怠った。
He became complacent and neglected the preparations.
Self-satisfaction, often with a negative connotation of being content with mediocrity.
自己満足に浸っている場合じゃない。
This is no time for complacency.
To become less vigilant; one's attention slackens. Often used after a period of tension.
試験が終わって気が緩んだ。
After the exam, I became complacent.
Indolence or easygoingness, often implying a neglect of duty. More literary.
安逸を貪っていると、足元をすくわれる。
If you indulge in complacency, you'll be caught off guard.