Translation guide
The English word "inclination" can refer to a tendency, a preference, a slope, or a leaning. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these meanings, from common everyday phrases to more formal or literary terms.
この道は急な傾斜がある。
This road has a steep inclination.
Expressing a natural tendency to do something or a habitual behavior.
Attached to the masu-stem of verbs or nouns to indicate a tendency, often negative. Common in spoken and written Japanese.
彼は遅れがちだ。
He has an inclination to be late.
最近、忘れがちになっている。
Lately, I've been inclined to forget things.
A more formal pattern meaning "there is a tendency to." Used with verbs and nouns. Suitable for both spoken and written contexts.
若者はスマホを使う傾向がある。
Young people have an inclination to use smartphones.
彼女は心配しすぎる傾向がある。
She has an inclination to worry too much.
A formal, somewhat technical term for a natural disposition or inclination. Often used in psychology or character descriptions.
彼の性向は楽観的だ。
His inclination is optimistic.
Expressing a personal liking or leaning toward something.
Literally "have a feeling of wanting to do." A natural way to express an inclination as a desire.
今日は外に出たい気持ちがある。
I have an inclination to go out today.
Refers to one's intention or inclination, often used in formal contexts like business or official statements.
彼の意向を確認してください。
Please confirm his inclination (intention).
Used in phrases like 〜する気がある (have the inclination/mind to do). Very common in casual speech.
やる気があるなら手伝って。
If you have the inclination to do it, help me.
Referring to a surface that is not level, like a hill or ramp.
The standard word for a slope or incline. Used for roads, roofs, land, etc.
この道は急な傾斜がある。
This road has a steep inclination.
屋根の傾斜が緩やかだ。
The inclination of the roof is gentle.
Often used for gradients in engineering, construction, or roads. Slightly more technical than 傾斜.
A more general term for slant or tilt, can be used for physical objects or abstract leanings.
Expressing a mental leaning, bias, or predisposition toward a particular idea or viewpoint.
Means bias or inclination, often with a negative connotation of being skewed or partial.
その新聞は政治的偏向がある。
That newspaper has a political inclination (bias).
A strong inclination or devotion toward something, like an ideology or art. Often used in literary contexts.
A suffix meaning "leaning toward" or "inclined to." Attached to nouns. Common in casual and spoken Japanese.
彼の意見は左寄りだ。
His opinion is inclined to the left.
私は甘いもの寄りの味覚だ。
My taste is inclined toward sweet things.
Both express tendency, but 傾向がある is more formal and neutral, while 〜がち is often used for undesirable habits and is more colloquial.
彼は忘れっぽい傾向がある。
He has a tendency to be forgetful. (neutral)
彼は忘れがちだ。
He tends to forget (and it's a problem).
Direct translations like 傾向 or 性向 can sound stiff or unnatural in casual conversation. Use patterns like 〜がち, 〜気がある, or rephrase with 〜したいと思う.
この坂の勾配は10パーセントです。
The inclination of this slope is 10 percent.
塔の傾きが気になる。
I'm concerned about the inclination of the tower.
彼は仏教に傾倒している。
He has a strong inclination toward Buddhism.