Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing a rebuke depends heavily on the relationship, formality, and severity. Direct scolding is common in hierarchical settings, while softer expressions are used among equals or in polite contexts.
To sharply criticize or scold someone for a fault, often in a position of authority.
The most common verb for scolding or telling someone off. Used by parents, teachers, bosses, etc.
先生は遅刻した生徒を叱った。
The teacher rebuked the student for being late.
Variant kanji for 叱る, less common but same meaning.
父は私の不注意を𠮟った。
My father rebuked me for my carelessness.
Means 'to get angry' and often implies scolding. More emotional than 叱る.
Can simply mean 'get angry' without the scolding nuance. Context clarifies.
母は私が部屋を散らかしたので怒った。
My mother got angry and rebuked me for messing up the room.
Formal term for reprimanding, often used in official or disciplinary contexts.
上司は規則違反を𠮟責した。
The boss reprimanded the rule violation.
To express strong disapproval through words, often in a formal or public manner.
To criticize or blame someone for a wrongdoing. Common in news and formal speech.
野党は政府の対応を非難した。
The opposition party rebuked the government's response.
To blame or accuse someone, often with emotional intensity.
彼は自分を責めた。
He rebuked himself.
To find fault with or reproach, often in a moral sense. Somewhat literary.
To express disapproval gently, often to avoid direct confrontation.
To warn or caution someone about their behavior. Softer than 叱る.
駅員は騒いでいる若者に注意した。
The station attendant rebuked the noisy youths.
To nag or scold in a petty, repetitive way. Often used for parents or spouses.
妻は夫のだらしなさに小言を言った。
The wife rebuked her husband for his sloppiness.
To reprove gently, often with a sense of correcting manners. Polite and somewhat formal.
To condemn or denounce severely, often in official or media contexts.
To denounce or censure strongly, often used in political or social criticism.
メディアは汚職を糾弾した。
The media rebuked the corruption.
To impeach or formally accuse, often in legal or parliamentary contexts.
議会は大統領を弾劾した。
The parliament rebuked the president (through impeachment).
叱る (shikaru) focuses on the act of scolding with the intent to correct behavior, often calmly. 怒る (okoru) means 'to get angry' and may include scolding, but the primary emotion is anger. A parent might 叱る a child for a mistake, but 怒る when they are personally upset.
English 'rebuke' can sound formal or literary. In Japanese, using overly formal terms like 𠮟責する in casual conversation may sound unnatural. Choose based on relationship and setting.
彼女は彼の無礼を咎めた。
She rebuked him for his rudeness.
先輩は後輩の言葉遣いをたしなめた。
The senior rebuked the junior for his language.