Translation guide
Describes a person who avoids social interaction or is not friendly. Japanese has several words that overlap with 'unsociable', but they carry different nuances: some imply shyness, others a preference for solitude, and some a negative, hostile attitude.
Describing someone who finds social situations difficult, often due to shyness or lack of confidence, rather than a dislike of people.
Literally 'people-shy'. Describes someone who is shy around strangers or in new social situations. Very common and natural for describing a personality trait.
彼は人見知りで、パーティーではいつも隅にいる。
He's shy around people and always stays in the corner at parties.
Means 'shy' or 'bashful'. Often used for a generally reserved personality. Less specific to strangers than 人見知り.
内気な性格なので、自分から話しかけるのが苦手だ。
I have a shy personality, so I'm not good at starting conversations.
A straightforward, neutral phrase meaning 'not sociable'. It simply states the fact without strong negative connotation.
彼は社交的ではないが、親しい友達はいる。
He's not sociable, but he has close friends.
Describing a person who actively avoids social contact because they enjoy solitude. This is often a chosen lifestyle, not necessarily due to shyness.
Literally 'non-sociable'. A neutral, somewhat formal term for someone who does not seek social interaction. It implies a preference for solitude.
彼は非社交的で、週末はいつも一人で過ごしている。
He's unsociable and always spends weekends alone.
A literary word meaning 'aloof' or 'standing alone in a proud, noble way'. It has a positive or admirable nuance of independence, not just being unsociable.
Describing someone who is actively unfriendly, cold, or hostile in social situations. This has a negative connotation.
Means 'blunt', 'curt', or 'unsociable' in a way that feels cold and unfriendly. Often used for someone who doesn't smile or engage warmly.
あの店員は無愛想で、感じが悪い。
That clerk is unsociable and unpleasant.
An onomatopoeic word describing someone who is prickly, standoffish, or snappy. Often used for a person who is short-tempered and unfriendly.
Describing someone who withdraws from social activities or society, often to an extreme degree.
Refers to a person who withdraws from social life, often staying at home for long periods. It can be a serious social phenomenon, but is also used casually.
彼は高校を中退してから、ずっと引きこもりだ。
He's been a recluse ever since he dropped out of high school.
Means 'homebody' or 'someone who finds it a bother to go out'. It's a lighter, more casual term than 引きこもり, often used self-deprecatingly.
非社交的 (unsociable by choice) is neutral and describes a preference for solitude. 無愛想 (blunt/unfriendly) is negative and describes behavior that makes others feel unwelcome. Don't confuse them.
彼は非社交的だが、話してみると親切だ。
He's unsociable, but once you talk to him, he's kind.
彼は無愛想だから、あまり友達がいない。
He's so unfriendly that he doesn't have many friends.
If someone is shy or nervous around people, use 人見知り or 内気. 非社交的 implies a deliberate choice to avoid socializing, not a lack of ability.
He is known as a solitary, aloof artist.
She's been prickly lately and hard to talk to.
Means 'hard to approach' or 'unapproachable'. Describes someone who seems unfriendly or intimidating at first glance.
彼はとっつきにくい印象だけど、実は優しい。
He gives an unsociable impression, but he's actually kind.
I'm a homebody, so I just laze around at home on my days off.