Translation guide
Describes a confident, often arrogant way of walking or behaving. Japanese uses different expressions for physical swaggering walk, boastful talk, and overconfident attitude.
To walk in a way that shows off confidence, often with a swaying or strutting motion
Literally 'striding proudly'; used for walking in a confident, sometimes arrogant manner. Often written.
彼は街を闊歩していた。
He was swaggering through the town.
To talk in a boastful, bragging way about oneself
General verb for 'to boast' or 'to brag'. Can be used for swaggering talk.
彼は自分の成功を自慢してばかりいる。
He's always swaggering about his success.
A general attitude of arrogance and showing off
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'swagger'. Choose based on whether you mean walking, talking, or attitude. Using スワッガー (suwagā) is not common and would be understood only as a borrowed term in specific contexts like music or fashion.
Means 'to walk around acting important/bossy'. Common in speech.
彼はいつも威張って歩いている。
He always walks around with a swagger.
Idiomatic: 'walking as if cutting the wind with one's shoulders', implying a proud, swaggering gait.
彼は肩で風を切って歩いていた。
He was swaggering along, full of himself.
Literally 'to beat a big mouth'; means to talk big or boast. Casual.
彼はよく大口を叩くけど、実際は何もできない。
He often swaggers, but can't actually do anything.
To act bossy or arrogant; often implies swaggering behavior including speech.
彼は部下の前でいつも威張っている。
He always swaggers in front of his subordinates.
Noun/adjective meaning 'arrogance' or 'haughtiness'. Describes a swaggering personality.
彼の傲慢な態度には我慢できない。
I can't stand his swaggering attitude.
Idiom: 'to become a tengu' (a mythical boastful creature); means to get a swelled head, become conceited.
彼は少し成功しただけで天狗になっている。
He's swaggering just because of a little success.
Arrogant, overbearing. Stronger and more formal than 傲慢.
彼の横柄な物言いが嫌いだ。
I dislike his swaggering way of talking.