How to say "pragmatic" in Japanese

Choosing the right word
  • 実際的じっさいてきCommon
    na-adjectiveCovers pragmatic in the sense of a practical, down-to-earth way of thinking and acting; typical of descriptions of people, attitudes, and approaches that concentrate on what actually works.
    あなたの考かんがえはとても実際的じっさいてきとはいえない。↗
    Your ideas are hardly practical.
  • 現実的げんじつてきCommon
    na-adjectiveBest for pragmatic meaning realistic: facing facts and aiming at what is achievable. The natural choice when pragmatic contrasts with idealistic, as with plans, solutions, or assessments of a situation.
    イギリス人いぎりすじんは現実的げんじつてきな国民こくみんであると言いわれている。↗
    The English are said to be a practical people.
  • 実用的じつようてきCommon
    na-adjectiveReally means useful or utilitarian: things, methods, or designs that serve a practical purpose. For pragmatic as an attitude or way of thinking it is seldom the word you want.
    彼かれの考かんがえはいつも実用的じつようてきだ。↗
    His ideas are always practical.
  • 即物的そくぶつてきCommon
    na-adjectiveMatter-of-fact dealing with things as they are, focused on concrete results rather than ideals; it can carry a critical nuance of attending only to tangible, immediate concerns.

Choose 現実的 for pragmatic as opposed to idealistic, 実際的 for a practical, down-to-earth approach, 実用的 for useful or utilitarian things rather than attitudes, and 即物的 for a matter-of-fact focus on concrete results.

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

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