Translation guide
Describes someone who makes a show of being morally superior, often in a hypocritical or irritating way. Japanese expresses this through specific adjectives, nouns, and descriptive phrases.
To describe a person or behavior that flaunts moral superiority, often hypocritically.
The most direct equivalent, meaning 'hypocritical' in a moral sense. Used for actions or attitudes that pretend to be virtuous.
彼の偽善的な態度にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his sanctimonious attitude.
Colloquial phrase meaning 'to act like a goody-goody' or 'to pretend to be virtuous'. Often used for someone who acts morally superior in an annoying way.
彼女はいつもいい子ぶって、みんなに説教する。
She always acts sanctimonious and preaches to everyone.
Literally 'to act like a saint'. Used for someone who acts holier-than-thou.
彼は聖人ぶって、他人の欠点を批判する。
He acts sanctimonious, criticizing others' flaws.
Means 'self-righteous', emphasizing a belief in one's own moral correctness. More about internal conviction than outward show.
彼の独善的な考え方には我慢できない。
I can't stand his sanctimonious way of thinking.
To describe speech or behavior that preaches morality while being hypocritical.
Means 'to preach from a condescending perspective'. Captures the sanctimonious tone of moralizing.
彼はいつも上から目線で説教して、自分は何もしない。
He always preaches sanctimoniously but does nothing himself.
Adjective meaning 'preachy' or 'sanctimonious'. Describes speech that sounds like a moral lecture.
彼の説教臭い話は聞くに耐えない。
His sanctimonious talk is unbearable.
Means 'to say pretty things' or 'to mouth platitudes'. Often implies insincere moralizing.
彼は綺麗事ばかり言って、現実を見ていない。
He just spouts sanctimonious platitudes and doesn't see reality.
To describe a person who acts morally superior to others.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'to be convinced of one's own righteousness'. Conveys the self-righteous aspect of sanctimony.
彼女は自分は正しいと思い込んでいて、他人の意見を聞かない。
She's sanctimonious and never listens to others' opinions.
Noun meaning 'a sanctimonious look' or 'pretending to be a good person'. Often used in the phrase 善人面をする.
彼の善人面には騙されない。
I'm not fooled by his sanctimonious face.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'sanctimonious'. Using a dictionary translation like 信心深い (pious) will miss the negative, hypocritical connotation. Instead, use phrases that describe the behavior or attitude.
偽善的 (ぎぜんてき) focuses on hypocrisy—pretending to be virtuous while not being so. 独善的 (どくぜんてき) focuses on self-righteousness—believing one's own views are absolutely correct. For 'sanctimonious', 偽善的 is usually more appropriate because it involves outward display.