How to say "apathy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 無気力むきりょくnoun, na-adjectiveThe default choice for apathy as a personal lack of energy, motivation, or drive. Use it when describing someone who feels listless and cannot be bothered to act.
- nounA loanword covering apathy in the clinical or psychological sense of emotional indifference. It is less common, so 無気力 or 無感情 is usually the word learners actually want.
- 無気力状態むきりょくじょうたいnounRefers to apathy as a condition or state one is in—a lethargic, lassitude-filled state—rather than to the trait itself. Use it when speaking of someone having lapsed into such a state.
- 無感情むかんじょうnounCovers apathy in the sense of emotional numbness or indifference—showing no feeling or reaction. Choose it over 無気力 when the emphasis is on lacking emotion rather than lacking energy.
- no-adjectiveApathy as collective disenchantment or a spoiled mood, when excitement drains from a group or occasion. Seldom the word for personal apathy; glosses like 'turn-off' show its real territory.
For personal lack of energy or motivation use 無気力; 無感情 stresses emotional flatness, 無気力状態 the resulting state, 「しらけ」 group disenchantment, and 「アパシー」 is a rare loanword.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
