Translation guide
The English word "incoherent" can describe speech, writing, thoughts, or arguments that are unclear, disjointed, or illogical. Japanese has different expressions depending on whether you mean rambling, contradictory, or physically unintelligible.
Describing speech or writing that is hard to follow because ideas are not connected logically.
A strong, common word for speech or writing that is completely incoherent, inconsistent, and all over the place. Often used for arguments or explanations that don't hold together.
彼の説明は支離滅裂で、何を言っているのかわからなかった。
His explanation was incoherent; I had no idea what he was saying.
Literally 'the story doesn't come together.' A natural way to say someone's speech is incoherent or rambling.
緊張して、話がまとまらなくなった。
I got nervous and my speech became incoherent.
Describes talk that is rambling, desultory, without a clear point. Often used for long, meandering conversations.
彼はとりとめのない話を何時間も続けた。
He went on with incoherent rambling for hours.
Literally 'without context/connection.' Used for remarks or statements that seem random and disconnected from the conversation.
彼は脈絡のない質問を突然した。
He suddenly asked an incoherent question (that had nothing to do with the topic).
Describing an argument, theory, or set of statements that contradict each other or lack internal logic.
Means 'contradictory' or 'inconsistent.' The most direct way to say an argument is incoherent because its parts don't agree.
彼の主張は矛盾していて、説得力がない。
His argument is incoherent (contradictory) and unconvincing.
Literally 'the logic doesn't go through.' Means illogical, incoherent, not making sense.
その理論は筋が通っていない。
That theory is incoherent (doesn't make logical sense).
Describing speech that is physically difficult to hear or understand, like mumbling, slurring, or garbled sounds.
Means 'cannot catch/hear clearly.' Used when someone's speech is incoherent due to mumbling, noise, or poor articulation.
彼の声が小さくて、何を言っているのか聞き取れなかった。
His voice was so quiet I couldn't make out what he was saying; it was incoherent.
Means 'unclear, indistinct.' Can describe speech that is slurred or garbled.
酔っ払って不明瞭な話し方になった。
He got drunk and his speech became incoherent (slurred).
Describing a person's thinking as confused, disjointed, or not making sense, often due to stress, illness, or emotion.
Literally 'thoughts don't come together.' A natural way to say one's thinking is incoherent or scattered.
ショックで考えがまとまらなかった。
I was so shocked my thoughts were incoherent.
Means 'confused, disordered.' Can describe incoherent thinking or mental state.
彼は混乱していて、意味のあることを言えなかった。
He was confused and couldn't say anything coherent.
支離滅裂 emphasizes a complete lack of logical connection and structure, like a jumbled mess. 矛盾している specifically points out a contradiction between two or more statements. An argument can be 矛盾している without being 支離滅裂 if it's otherwise well-structured but contains a single contradiction.
The English word 'incoherent' covers a wide range of meanings. Direct translations like 非干渉性 (physics term) or インコヒーレント are not used in everyday language. Always choose a Japanese expression that matches the specific type of incoherence.