Translation guide
The attitude or disposition of resisting authority, norms, or expectations. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns describing a defiant mindset, adjectives for rebellious character, and idiomatic phrases capturing a contrarian or anti-authoritarian stance.
Describing a person's inner disposition to resist control, rules, or societal expectations.
Literally 'spirit of resistance'. The most direct and common way to express a rebellious spirit, especially in youth or against authority.
彼は強い反抗心を持っている。
He has a strong rebellious spirit.
反抗心から規則を破った。
Out of a rebellious spirit, he broke the rules.
A more literary term for an indomitable, rebellious spirit that refuses to bow to authority. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts.
彼の反骨精神が多くの人を感動させた。
His rebellious spirit moved many people.
Specifically a spirit of rebellion or revolt, often against a government or system. Stronger and more political than 反抗心.
彼の反逆精神は独裁政権への挑戦だった。
His rebellious spirit was a challenge to the dictatorship.
Describing someone who is naturally inclined to rebel or defy.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'rebellious personality'. Suitable for describing someone's nature.
彼女は反抗的な性格で、いつも先生に口答えする。
She has a rebellious personality and always talks back to the teacher.
A person who deliberately does the opposite of what is expected; a contrarian. Captures a playful or stubborn rebellious spirit.
あの子は天邪鬼だから、注意すると余計にやる。
That kid has a rebellious spirit, so if you tell him off, he'll do it even more.
A stubbornly contrary person; someone who always takes the opposite stance. Informal and slightly negative.
Expressing a broader attitude of questioning or rejecting established norms, often in a cool or principled way.
Literally 'spirit that rebels against authority'. A clear, formal way to describe an anti-authoritarian rebellious spirit.
彼の権威に反抗する精神は、組織の中で浮いていた。
His rebellious spirit against authority made him stand out in the organization.
A spirit that doesn't fit the mold; nonconformist. Emphasizes freedom from conventional thinking.
彼女の型にはまらない精神が新しい芸術を生んだ。
Her rebellious, nonconformist spirit gave birth to new art.
Anti-establishment. Used for political or social rebellion against the system. Often as a noun modifier.
Referring to the rebellious phase many young people go through, often against parents or school.
The 'rebellious phase' typically associated with adolescence. Very common when talking about a child's rebellious spirit.
息子は今、反抗期で何を言っても聞かない。
My son is in his rebellious phase now and won't listen to anything.
反抗心 is the everyday word for a rebellious attitude, especially in personal relationships or against rules. 反骨精神 is a more dramatic, literary term implying an unyielding spirit against oppression, often used in historical or heroic contexts.
Directly translating 'rebellious spirit' as 反抗的な精神 is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural. Use the established compounds like 反抗心 or 反骨精神 instead.
彼はへそ曲がりで、みんなが賛成すると反対する。
He's a rebellious spirit; whenever everyone agrees, he opposes.
彼は反体制の精神を持った活動家だ。
He is an activist with a rebellious, anti-establishment spirit.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'youthful indiscretion' or 'folly of youth'. Used to excuse past rebellious acts as due to youthful spirit.
若気の至りで、親に反抗したこともあった。
Out of youthful rebellious spirit, I sometimes defied my parents.