How to say "manly" in Japanese

• 男らしいおとこらしいCommon
  i-adjectiveCovers the core sense of 'manly' — having qualities considered typical of a man, such as courage or toughness. The default choice for describing a manly appearance, attitude, or behaviour.
  その少年しょうねんは男おとこらしくして泣なくまいとがんばった。↗

  The boy tried to be a man and not cry.
• 男っぽいおとこっぽいCommon
  i-adjectiveAlso means 'manly', with a colloquial, somewhat casual flavour; the gloss 'boyish' reflects the -っぽい pattern suggesting a look or manner. Use it for someone seeming manly in appearance or behaviour.
• 男性的だんせいてきCommon
  na-adjectiveA formal adjectival noun meaning 'manly; masculine', suited to describing features or qualities in a neutral, descriptive way, as in written or analytical contexts rather than casual praise.
  中なかには女性的じょせいてきであると言いうよりも男性的だんせいてきに見みえる女性じょせいもいる。↗

  Some women look more masculine than feminine.
• 潔いいさぎよいCommon
  i-adjectiveSeldom the word you want for 'manly'; it really means gracious or honourable, as in a graceful defeat or apology, or a noble death. Use it for that sense, not for masculine appearance or character.
  出処しゅっしょ進退しんたいの潔いさぎよさをわきまえている、と彼かれは言いっているけれど、いざとなったらどうだかね。↗

  He always talks as though he knows how to handle himself but you never know how he'll act when the chips are down.

Choose 「男らしい」 for stereotypically masculine qualities, 「男っぽい」 for looking or acting manly, 男性的 for a neutral descriptive tone, and 「潔い」 only for graceful, honourable behaviour such as accepting defeat.

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

• 男らしいおとこらしいmanly
• 男っぽいおとこっぽいmanly
• 男性的だんせいてきmanly
• 潔いいさぎよいgracious (defeat, apology, etc.)
• 雄々しいおおしいmanly
• 凛々しいりりしいgallant
• 勇み肌いさみはだgallant
• 苦みばしったにがみばしったsternly handsome
• 雄おmanly
• 男臭いおとこくさいmanly