Translation guide
The English word 'negligible' describes something so small or unimportant that it can be ignored. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through adjectives, adverbs, and set phrases that emphasize insignificance or lack of impact.
To describe an amount, difference, or effect that is too minor to matter.
Literally 'can be ignored'. A direct and common way to say something is negligible, often used in technical or everyday contexts.
その誤差は無視できる程度だ。
The margin of error is negligible.
To describe an action or state where the degree is so small it can be ignored.
Adverbial phrase meaning 'to a negligible extent'. Used to modify verbs or adjectives.
価格は無視できるほどしか上がらなかった。
The price rose only negligibly.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'negligible' in all contexts. Instead, use phrases like 無視できる or 取るに足らない depending on the nuance.
無視できる focuses on the ability to ignore something (often quantitative), while 些細な emphasizes triviality or pettiness (often qualitative). Use 無視できる for errors, differences, or effects; use 些細な for matters, details, or concerns.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'not worth taking up' or 'trivial'. Conveys that something is so insignificant it doesn't deserve attention.
彼の反対意見は取るに足らないものだった。
His objection was negligible.
Means 'trivial' or 'minor'. Often used for negligible matters or details. Note: it can also imply something is petty, so context matters.
その問題は些細なことだ。
The issue is negligible.
A somewhat formal adjective meaning 'insignificant' or 'trifling'. Often used with amounts or effects.
微々たる差で勝負が決まった。
The match was decided by a negligible margin.
Literally 'almost nothing'. Emphasizes that something is practically zero or nonexistent. Stronger than 無視できる.
その影響は無に等しい。
The effect is negligible.
Means 'slightly' or 'a little'. Can imply a negligible amount, but is less emphatic than 'negligible'.
わずかに減少した。
It decreased negligibly.