How to say "ridiculous" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 無茶むちゃna-adjective, nounCovers 'ridiculous' in the sense of absurd and unreasonable: a demand, plan, or schedule so excessive that it defies common sense. The nuance is going too far, beyond what is reasonable.
- 法外ほうがいna-adjective, nounCovers 'ridiculous' chiefly of amounts — prices, fees, charges — that are exorbitant, far beyond any reasonable level. A restaurant charging a ridiculous price is the classic context.
- i-adjectiveThe word when 'ridiculous' means laughable or absurd enough to laugh at; also the natural exclamation — 'that's ridiculous!' — at something you find absurd.
- pre-noun adjectivalThe same laughable, absurd sense, in the form used directly before a noun: a ridiculous story, suggestion, or situation. Use this when 'ridiculous' modifies a noun.
- 馬鹿らしいばからしいi-adjectiveCovers 'ridiculous' as silly and foolish rather than outrageous; said of an effort or act so silly that it is hardly worth the trouble.
Choose 無茶 for the absurd-unreasonable sense, 法外 for exorbitant amounts such as prices, 「おかしい」 or 「おかしな」 for the laughable sense (the latter before nouns), and 「馬鹿らしい」 for what is merely silly or pointless.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 無茶むちゃabsurd
- 法外ほうがいexorbitant
- おかしいfunny
- おかしなfunny
- 馬鹿らしいばからしいabsurd
- ばかばかしいabsurd
- マッドmad
- 人笑わせひとわらわせridiculous
- 片腹痛いかたはらいたいridiculous
- 阿呆らしいあほらしいridiculous
- アホくさいridiculous
- ちゃんちゃらおかしいridiculous
- あほくさridiculous
- 荒唐こうとうabsurd
- 笑止しょうしlaughable
- 笑うべきわらうべきlaughable
- 愚にもつかないぐにもつかないfoolish
- ばかみたいfoolish
- めちゃabsurd
- 滑稽こっけいridiculous
- ありえないunthinkable
- ばかstupid
- おこがましいridiculous
- あられもないunthinkable
See also
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