How to say "despise" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 蔑むさげすむgodan verb, transitive verbCovers despise in the sense of scorn: an active, contemptuous feeling that someone is worthless and beneath notice. Typical when despising a person's character, attitude, or behavior.
- 侮るあなどるgodan verb, transitive verbDespise here means to make light of someone: to dismiss them as insignificant and not take them seriously. Typical when an opponent or rival is treated too lightly.
- 見くびるみくびるgodan verb, transitive verbCenters on underrating: judging someone's ability or worth as less than it really is, and so belittling them. Fits despise in the sense of selling someone short rather than deep contempt.君は彼を見くびっている。↗You are selling him short.
- 見下ろすみおろすgodan verb, transitive verbDespise as 'look down on': treating someone as beneath you from a position of superiority. The same verb also serves literally for gazing down from a height, so context decides the sense.
Use 「蔑む」 for outright scorn and contempt, 「侮る」 for making light of someone, 「見くびる」 for underrating ability, and 「見下ろす」 for looking down on someone as beneath you.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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