How to say "distortion" in Japanese

• デフォルメCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers distortion in the visual, artistic sense: deliberately exaggerating or stylizing a figure for effect, as in manga caricature. It can also mean deformation.
• ディストーションCommon
  nounThe loanword for distortion as such, typically in technical contexts such as sound, images, or signals — a distorted guitar tone, a distorted image. Choose this for literal distortion.
• 屈折くっせつJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbIts 'distortion' sense is figurative: feelings or logic that are warped or twisted, a distorted personality or outlook, rather than distorted shapes or images.

Use 「デフォルメ」 for deliberate artistic distortion such as caricature in manga, 「ディストーション」 for technical distortion of sound, images, or signals, and 屈折 for figurative distortion of feelings or logic.

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

• デフォルメdistortion (often used for caricature in manga, etc.)
• ディストーションdistortion
• 歪曲わいきょくdistortion
• 歪みゆがみcontortion
• ねじれtwist
• こじつけdistortion
• 曲解きょっかい(deliberate) misinterpretation
• 不具ふぐdeformity
• ひずみstrain
• 屈折くっせつwarping (of feelings, logic, etc.)