How to say "conservative" in Japanese

• 消極しょうきょくCommon
  prenominal modifierCovers 'conservative' only in the sense of cautious and non-assertive: a passive, negative stance that avoids taking action or initiative. It does not mean politically conservative; for that, 保守的 is the word.
• 保守的ほしゅてきCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'conservative' in the sense of resisting change: conservative politics, traditional values, or a cautious outlook toward new things. This is the word for political and cultural conservatism.
  いかなる政党せいとうも本質的ほんしつてきに保守的ほしゅてきである。↗

  Any political party is conservative in itself.
• 控えめひかえめCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveMatches 'conservative' chiefly in 'a conservative estimate': a deliberately moderate, restrained figure. Beyond numbers, it describes reserved, modest behavior, so it is not about politics or ideology.
  彼かれの意見いけんは控え目ひかえめである。↗

  He is humble about his opinion.

Use 保守的 for conservatism about change (political or personal), 消極 for a passive, non-assertive 'conservative' stance, and 「控えめ」 for restrained amounts or figures such as a conservative estimate.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 消極しょうきょくpassive
• 保守的ほしゅてきconservative
• 控えめひかえめmoderate
• コンサバconservative
• コンサバティブconservative
• 退嬰的たいえいてきconservative
• 保守系ほしゅけいconservative
• 保存的ほぞんてきconservative (esp. medical treatment)
• 内輪うちわconservative (e.g. estimate)