Translation guide
The feeling of being uncertain, anxious, or lacking confidence about oneself or a situation. Japanese expresses this through nouns, adjectives, and verbs that describe the state of mind, often with nuances of anxiety, self-consciousness, or instability.
Describing a person's feeling of being unsure of themselves, lacking self-esteem, or feeling vulnerable.
Literally 'lack of self-confidence'. This is the most direct and common way to express personal insecurity. It is a noun phrase.
彼は自信のなさから、なかなか決断できない。
Because of his insecurity, he can't make decisions easily.
Anxiety, uneasiness. Often used to describe a general sense of insecurity about the future or oneself. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
新しい環境で不安を感じる。
I feel insecure in a new environment.
A common phrase meaning 'I lack confidence in myself'. More conversational than 自信のなさ.
自分に自信がなくて、人前で話すのが怖い。
I'm insecure and afraid of speaking in public.
Inferiority complex. A deeper, more psychological term for insecurity stemming from feeling inferior to others.
彼女は学歴に劣等感を持っている。
She has an insecurity about her educational background.
Complex (from English). Often used for specific insecurities about appearance, ability, etc. Common in casual speech.
身長が低いのがコンプレックスだ。
I have an insecurity about being short.
Feeling uncertain or anxious about a relationship, fearing rejection or abandonment.
Literally 'unstable feelings'. Describes the emotional insecurity one might feel in a relationship.
彼の態度が冷たくて、不安定な気持ちになる。
His cold attitude makes me feel insecure.
A phrase meaning 'anxious about whether one is loved'. Directly expresses relationship insecurity.
彼女に愛されているか不安でたまらない。
I'm so insecure about whether she loves me.
Jealousy. Insecurity in relationships often manifests as jealousy. Use with care as it implies a stronger emotion.
Referring to the precariousness or instability of a situation, such as job security or safety.
Instability, precariousness. Used for situations like job insecurity, economic insecurity, etc. A na-adjective or noun.
この仕事は不安定で、いつ首になるかわからない。
This job is insecure; I never know when I might be fired.
Uncertain, unreliable. Emphasizes the lack of certainty in a situation.
Precariousness, riskiness. A more literary or formal term for the insecurity of a situation.
その計画の危うさに誰も気づかなかった。
No one noticed the insecurity (precariousness) of the plan.
The English word 'insecurity' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating it as 不安全 (fu-anzen) is incorrect; that word means physical danger or lack of safety, not emotional insecurity.
自信のなさ (lack of confidence) is specific to self-doubt, while 不安 (anxiety) is a broader feeling of unease that can apply to many situations. Use 自信のなさ when the insecurity is about personal abilities or worth, and 不安 when it's a general anxious feeling.
I get insecure (jealous) about his past relationships.
将来が不確かで不安だ。
I feel insecure because the future is uncertain.