Translation guide
The English verb 'exaggerate' means to represent something as larger, better, worse, or more important than it really is. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through several common verbs and phrases, each with slightly different nuances and levels of formality.
To make something seem bigger, more serious, or more extreme than it actually is, often in everyday conversation.
The most direct and standard translation for 'exaggerate'. It is neutral and can be used in both spoken and written contexts.
彼は自分の成功を誇張して話した。
He exaggerated his success when he talked about it.
その話は少し誇張されていると思う。
I think that story is a bit exaggerated.
A very common, slightly more casual way to say 'exaggerate'. Literally 'to say in a big way'. Often used when someone is being overly dramatic.
彼はいつも大げさに言うから、あまり信じないほうがいい。
He always exaggerates, so you shouldn't believe him too much.
ちょっと大げさに言っただけだよ。
I was just exaggerating a little.
A colloquial, slangy expression meaning 'to embellish a story' or 'to pile it on'. Very common in casual conversation among younger people.
それ、絶対話を盛ってるでしょ。
You're definitely exaggerating that story.
A more formal or literary term, often used in written language or news reports. '誇大' means 'exaggeration' or 'overstatement'.
その新聞は事件を誇大に報じた。
The newspaper reported the incident in an exaggerated manner.
To stress something too much, making it seem more important than it is.
Literally 'to emphasize too much'. Used when someone places excessive importance on something.
彼は自分の意見を強調しすぎる傾向がある。
He tends to exaggerate his own opinion.
To take something in an exaggerated way, to blow something out of proportion.
彼女は小さなミスを大げさに捉える。
She exaggerates small mistakes.
To overstate or caricature a physical characteristic, gesture, or movement.
Same word as above, but used for physical exaggeration, such as in acting or drawing.
漫画家は登場人物の特徴を誇張して描く。
Manga artists exaggerate the features of their characters.
From French 'déformer', used specifically in art and design to mean stylized exaggeration or deformation. Common in anime/manga contexts.
このキャラクターはデフォルメされて描かれている。
This character is drawn in an exaggerated, stylized way.
Both mean 'to exaggerate', but 誇張する is more formal and often used in writing or serious contexts. 大げさに言う is more conversational and implies a dramatic or over-the-top way of speaking. In casual speech, 大げさに言う is more natural.
彼はいつも大げさに言う。
He always exaggerates (in a dramatic way).
報告書では被害が誇張されていた。
In the report, the damage was exaggerated.
In English, 'exaggerate' can be used lightly ('I'm exaggerating a bit'). In Japanese, directly translating this with 誇張する might sound too stiff. Use 大げさに言う or 話を盛る for casual self-deprecation.