Translation guide
The state of lacking knowledge or awareness. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various nouns, adjectives, and phrases that differ in nuance, formality, and usage.
Expressing that someone does not know something or lacks knowledge in general.
The most direct translation for 'ignorance', meaning lack of knowledge or being uninformed. Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼の無知には驚かされる。
I am surprised by his ignorance.
無知は罪ではないが、学ばないことは罪だ。
Ignorance is not a sin, but not learning is.
Lack of education or learning; often implies illiteracy or being uneducated. More specific than 無知.
彼は無学だが、とても賢い。
He is uneducated but very wise.
Literally 'things one does not know'. A more colloquial way to refer to ignorance.
知らないことが多い。
There are many things I don't know.
Formal or literary term for ignorance. Rarely used in everyday speech.
不知の世界を探求する。
Explore the world of the unknown.
Expressing that someone deliberately ignores or disregards something.
Act of ignoring or disregarding. Often used when someone intentionally pays no attention.
彼は私の忠告を無視した。
He ignored my advice.
問題を無視してはいけない。
You must not ignore the problem.
Pretending not to know; feigning ignorance. Casual and often used in spoken language.
Literally 'pretending not to see'. Used when someone deliberately overlooks something.
彼は不正を見て見ぬふりをした。
He turned a blind eye to the injustice.
Expressing that someone is unaware of something, often with a nuance of innocence or naivety.
Lack of self-awareness; being unaware of one's own actions or situation.
彼は自分の欠点に無自覚だ。
He is unaware of his own shortcomings.
Innocence, naivety; often used for children or pure-hearted ignorance.
Not noticing; unaware. A common way to express lack of awareness.
彼は危険に気づいていない。
He is unaware of the danger.
Expressing that ignorance is blameworthy or reflects poorly on someone.
Ignorance in the sense of being unenlightened or benighted. Strongly negative and literary.
蒙昧な大衆を啓蒙する。
Enlighten the ignorant masses.
Foolishness or stupidity, often stemming from ignorance. More about the quality than the state.
自分の愚かさを認めるのは難しい。
It's hard to admit one's own foolishness.
無知 (muchi) means lack of knowledge, while 無視 (mushi) means ignoring or disregarding. They are not interchangeable. 無知 is a state, 無視 is an action.
The English proverb 'ignorance is bliss' does not have a direct equivalent in Japanese. A natural way to express the idea is 「知らぬが仏」 (shiranu ga hotoke), literally 'not knowing is Buddha', meaning ignorance can bring peace of mind.
法律を知らなかったでは済まされない。
Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
彼は知らなかったと言い張った。
He pleaded ignorance.
彼は私を見ても知らんぷりした。
He pretended not to know me even when he saw me.
I laughed at the child's innocent question.