Translation guide
The English word "violent" covers physical force intended to hurt, intense natural phenomena, strong emotions, and sudden changes. Japanese uses different words depending on the type of violence or intensity.
Describing a person, behavior, or act that uses physical force to hurt or damage.
The most common and general adjective for 'violent' in the sense of using physical force. Can describe people, actions, movies, etc.
彼は暴力的な人だ。
He is a violent person.
暴力的な映画は好きじゃない。
I don't like violent movies.
Often implies rough, disorderly, or reckless violence. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
乱暴な運転は危険だ。
Reckless driving is dangerous.
彼は酔うと乱暴になる。
He gets violent when he drinks.
Implies brutal, ferocious violence, often used for animals or extremely dangerous people.
凶暴な熊が村を襲った。
A ferocious bear attacked the village.
Describing natural phenomena that are extremely strong, destructive, or severe.
The most versatile word for 'violent' when describing natural forces, emotions, or intense actions. Means 'fierce, intense, severe'.
激しい嵐が近づいている。
A violent storm is approaching.
激しい地震で多くの建物が倒れた。
Many buildings collapsed in the violent earthquake.
Emphasizes extreme intensity, often used for heat, speed, or storms. Stronger than 激しい.
Describing emotions that are extremely intense or uncontrollable.
Again, 激しい is the go-to word for intense emotions like anger, love, or hatred.
彼は激しい怒りを感じた。
He felt a violent anger.
二人の間には激しい憎しみがあった。
There was a violent hatred between them.
Specifically means 'violent rage' or 'flying into a passion'. More formal/literary.
Describing a change that is abrupt, severe, or dramatic.
Also used for sudden, drastic changes. 激しい変動 (violent fluctuations) is a common collocation.
株価が激しく変動した。
Stock prices fluctuated violently.
気温の激しい変化に注意してください。
Please be careful of violent changes in temperature.
Means 'sudden and drastic', often used for changes in economy, health, or weather.
Describing a death that is sudden, unnatural, or caused by force.
A set phrase meaning 'unnatural death' or 'violent death'. Often used in news or literature.
彼は非業の死を遂げた。
He met a violent death.
Literally 'miserable death', implies a tragic, often violent death. Stronger and more graphic.
事故で惨死した。
He died a violent death in the accident.
暴力的 is only for physical violence. For storms, emotions, or changes, use 激しい or other words. Saying 暴力的な嵐 sounds unnatural (it personifies the storm as a thug).
激しい is the most common and versatile for intensity. 猛烈 is stronger and often used in formal/written contexts for extreme natural forces. 荒々しい emphasizes wildness and roughness, often for natural elements or rough behavior.
彼は怒りっぽい。
He has a violent temper.
Natural Japanese often uses 'short-tempered' rather than a direct translation of 'violent temper'.
その映画は子供には暴力的すぎる。
The movie was too violent for children.
デモ隊と警察の間で激しい衝突があった。
There was a violent clash between protesters and police.
猛烈な台風が上陸した。
A violent typhoon made landfall.
Describes something wild, rough, or violent in a natural, untamed way. Often used for seas, winds, or behavior.
荒々しい波が岩に打ちつけた。
Violent waves crashed against the rocks.
彼は激高して机を叩いた。
He flew into a violent rage and banged the table.
急激な円高が輸出企業を苦しめた。
The violent appreciation of the yen hurt exporters.