Translation guide
The English word "conspicuous" means easily seen or noticed, often because something stands out from its surroundings. In Japanese, there is no single perfect equivalent; the best choice depends on whether you mean visually prominent, attracting attention (positive or negative), or standing out in a social context.
Describing something that is very noticeable because of its appearance, color, size, or position.
The most common and versatile word for 'stand out' or 'be conspicuous'. Can be used for people, objects, colors, etc. Often used in negative contexts (standing out in a bad way) but also neutral.
彼女はそのパーティーでとても目立っていた。
She was very conspicuous at the party.
その看板は遠くからでも目立つ。
That sign is conspicuous even from a distance.
Literally 'to pull people's eyes', meaning to attract attention or be eye-catching. Often used for things that are designed to be noticed, like fashion or advertisements.
彼の派手なネクタイは人目を引く。
His flashy tie is conspicuous.
Means 'to be prominent' or 'stand out' in a positive sense, often implying excellence or distinctiveness. More formal/literary than 目立つ.
彼の才能はクラスの中で際立っている。
His talent is conspicuous in the class.
Means 'remarkable', 'striking', or 'conspicuous', but is mostly used for abstract qualities like change, progress, or difference. Not for visual conspicuousness of objects.
近年、気温の上昇が著しい。
In recent years, the rise in temperature has been conspicuous.
When someone or something is conspicuous in a way that draws unwanted attention, criticism, or embarrassment.
Again the most common choice. Context makes it clear if the attention is unwanted.
そんな服を着ると目立つよ。
You'll be conspicuous if you wear clothes like that.
Colloquial; means to stand out in a negative way, not fitting in with the group. Often used when someone's behavior or appearance makes them seem out of place.
彼だけスーツで来て、ちょっと浮いてた。
He was the only one in a suit, so he was a bit conspicuous.
Literally 'bad standing out', meaning to be conspicuous in a negative or embarrassing way. Used when someone is trying too hard to be noticed and it backfires.
彼の自慢話は悪目立ちしている。
His bragging is making him conspicuously obnoxious.
The fixed phrase 'conspicuous by one's absence', meaning someone's absence is very noticeable.
A natural translation: 'not being there stands out all the more'.
彼がいないことがかえって目立った。
He was conspicuous by his absence.
More direct: 'absence is conspicuous'. Slightly formal.
会議での彼の不在が目立った。
His absence at the meeting was conspicuous.
The economic/sociological term for spending on luxury goods to display wealth.
The standard translation of the term 'conspicuous consumption' coined by Thorstein Veblen.
高級車を買うのは顕示的消費の一例だ。
Buying a luxury car is an example of conspicuous consumption.
A more colloquial term, literally 'show-off consumption'.
彼のブランド品好きは見せびらかし消費だ。
His love of brand-name goods is conspicuous consumption.
目立つ is the general word for 'stand out' and can be positive or negative. 際立つ implies standing out due to excellence or distinctiveness, and is more formal. 著しい is used for remarkable degrees of abstract things (change, progress) and is not for visual conspicuousness.
顕著 means 'remarkable' or 'notable' and is used for things like 'a marked improvement' (顕著な改善). It is not a direct synonym for visually conspicuous and can sound unnatural if misapplied.
彼のシャツのシミはとても目立った。
The stain on his shirt was very conspicuous.
あまり目立たないようにして。
Try not to be too conspicuous.