Translation guide
The English phrase "putting on airs" means behaving in a way that shows one thinks one is better than others, often by acting superior, pretentious, or snobbish. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various words and phrases that describe arrogance, conceit, or affected manners. The most common and natural ways to convey this idea are verbs like 気取る (kidoru) and phrases like 偉そうにする (erasō ni suru).
To describe someone behaving as if they are better than others, often in a condescending or haughty manner.
A very common and natural way to say someone is acting superior or full of themselves. Literally 'to act as if one is great/important'. Used in everyday conversation.
彼はいつも偉そうにしている。
He's always putting on airs.
That person's air of superiority really gets on my nerves.
To put on airs, to be pretentious or affected. Often implies trying to appear sophisticated or stylish in a way that feels unnatural. Can be used for both behavior and appearance.
彼女は気取って話す。
She speaks in an affected manner.
気取ったレストランで食事した。
We ate at a pretentious restaurant.
To act bossy or domineering; to throw one's weight around. While it often means 'to be bossy', it can also convey putting on airs when someone acts self-important.
彼は部下に威張っている。
He lords it over his subordinates.
Arrogant, haughty. A more formal or literary term describing a proud and overbearing attitude.
彼の高慢な態度が嫌われた。
His arrogant attitude made him disliked.
Arrogant, overbearing. Often used to describe a haughty, condescending manner, especially in formal or written contexts.
横柄な口調で話す。
Speak in an arrogant tone.
To describe someone who is trying to appear more cultured, wealthy, or high-status than they really are, often in a showy or affected way.
As above, but specifically for affected elegance or sophistication. Often used for people who adopt a posh accent, mannerisms, or tastes.
彼は気取った英語を話す。
He speaks English with a posh accent.
To put on a prim or smug face; to act refined and aloof. Often implies a quiet, self-satisfied air of superiority.
彼女はすました顔で座っていた。
She sat there with a smug look on her face.
To act refined or elegant in an affected way. Literally 'to pretend to be refined'. Used when someone is obviously putting on a show of good breeding.
A loanword from English 'snob'. Used as a noun to describe a person who looks down on others for not having the same tastes or status.
To describe behavior that is intended to impress others by displaying wealth, knowledge, or status in an exaggerated or insincere way.
To show off, to put on a front, to try to look better than one really is. Often involves spending money or boasting to impress others.
彼は見栄を張って高級車を買った。
He bought a luxury car to show off.
Again, 気取る covers pretentiousness in general, including showing off one's supposed sophistication.
彼は知識を気取って話す。
He talks pretentiously, showing off his knowledge.
To show off, to flaunt (especially knowledge or talent). A somewhat literary word often used in the phrase 知識を衒う (to parade one's knowledge).
気取る (kidoru) focuses on affected elegance or pretentiousness, often related to style, speech, or taste. 偉そうにする (erasō ni suru) is broader and simply means acting superior or self-important. Use 気取る when someone is trying to seem sophisticated; use 偉そうにする when they are acting like they are better than others in a general sense.
彼は気取った帽子をかぶっている。
He's wearing a pretentious hat.
彼は偉そうに命令する。
He gives orders in a condescending way.
Do not translate 'putting on airs' literally as 空気を着る or similar. It will not be understood. Use the idiomatic expressions provided.
気取るのはやめて、ありのままでいなよ。
Stop putting on airs and just be yourself.
彼女は有名大学を出たからって偉そうにしている。
She puts on airs because she went to a famous university.
彼女は上品ぶって紅茶を飲む。
She drinks tea in an affectedly refined manner.
彼はワインにうるさいスノッブだ。
He's a wine snob.
He likes to show off his learning.