Translation guide
The English word "strange" covers several related ideas: unfamiliarity, oddness, eeriness, and suspicion. Japanese uses different words depending on which nuance you want. This guide helps you choose the right one.
Describing something you haven't encountered or don't recognize, without necessarily implying it's bad.
Literally "don't know." The most natural way to say something is unfamiliar or you haven't seen it before.
この町は知らない場所ばかりだ。
This town is full of unfamiliar places.
Means "not used to seeing." Used for visual unfamiliarity.
見慣れない人が玄関に立っていた。
A strange person was standing at the door.
Means "not used to hearing." Used for unfamiliar sounds or words.
聞き慣れない音がした。
I heard a strange sound.
Describing something that deviates from the norm in a noticeable way, often with a neutral or slightly negative tone.
The most common and versatile word for "strange" in the sense of odd or weird. Can be used for people, situations, or things.
彼の行動はちょっと変だ。
His behavior is a bit strange.
変な味がする。
It tastes strange.
Can mean "strange" or "funny" depending on context. Often implies something is off or not right, sometimes with a humorous nuance.
More formal/literary than 変. Means "peculiar" or "queer." Often used in writing.
Means "mysterious" or "wondrous." Used when something is strange in a way that arouses curiosity or wonder, not necessarily negative.
Similar to 奇妙 but slightly more colloquial and often used in set phrases. Can sound a bit old-fashioned.
妙な気分だ。
I feel strange.
Describing something that feels unsettling, creepy, or gives you an uncomfortable feeling.
The go-to word for "eerie" or "creepy." Implies a sense of dread or supernatural unease.
不気味な静けさだった。
There was an eerie silence.
あの家は不気味だ。
That house is creepy.
A common phrase meaning "gives a bad feeling" or "creepy." More colloquial than 不気味.
その人形、気味が悪いね。
That doll is creepy, isn't it?
Describing something that seems not right, possibly dishonest or untrustworthy.
Covers "suspicious," "shady," "dubious." Can also mean "strange" in a way that raises suspicion. Very common.
怪しい人物を見かけた。
I saw a suspicious person.
その話はちょっと怪しい。
That story sounds a bit fishy.
変 is the most general and neutral for "strange/odd." おかしい can also mean "funny" and often implies something is malfunctioning or not right. 奇妙 is more formal and literary, closer to "peculiar."
English "strange" is very broad. Using 変 for everything can sound unnatural. For unfamiliar things, use 知らない or 見慣れない. For eerie things, use 不気味. For suspicious things, use 怪しい.
この機械、動きがおかしい。
This machine is acting strange.
おかしな話だね。
That's a strange story, isn't it?
It was a strange incident.
I had a strange dream.
A slightly milder version of 気味が悪い, meaning "vaguely creepy" or "somewhat eerie."
薄気味悪い笑い声が聞こえた。
I heard a strange, creepy laugh.
Stronger than 怪しい, meaning "shady" or "sketchy." Often used for people or deals that seem untrustworthy.
あのセールスマン、胡散臭いな。
That salesman seems really shady.