How to Say "Indifference" in Japanese

無関心

mukanshin[mɯ̟kã̠ɰ̃ɕĩɴ]

Indifference in Japanese is translated as 無関心 (mukanshin). If unsure, use 無関心. Wiktionary also lists 冷淡さ (reitan sa).

Meaning: the state of being indifferent (noun)

Ways to say it

“indifference” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
無関心	mukanshin	[mɯ̟kã̠ɰ̃ɕĩɴ] (narrow)
冷淡さ	reitan sa

無関心 denotes a state of being indifferent or unconcerned about something.

While 無関心 refers specifically to a lack of interest or concern, 冷淡さ implies a cold, detached or unfriendly attitude toward others.

To use 無関心 as an adjective to describe a noun, you add な (na) to form 無関心な.

mukanshin

In Japanese literature, an air of indifference is sometimes portrayed as 粋 (iki), a sophisticated urban aesthetic of detached elegance and restraint.
In Japanese social etiquette, showing too much 'interest' can be seen as intrusive, so a certain level of 無関心 (mukanshin) is actually a way to respect someone's privacy.
The character 無 (mu) in 無関心 is the same 'mu' used in 'mu-shin' (no mind), a concept in martial arts and Zen meaning a state of empty-mindedness.

彼女は無関心を装った。
She assumed an air of indifference.
This sentence is useful for showing how someone can assume an air of indifference using 無関心.
Tatoeba #1073492 by bunbuku, translation #315770 by CK
無関心を装う
Feign indifference
This sentence is useful for expressing the act of feigning indifference with 無関心.
Wiktionary
無関心な態度をとるべきではありません。
You should not adopt an indifferent attitude.
彼は冷淡な態度を示しました。
He showed an indifferent attitude.
彼の言っていることはどうでもいいよ。
I don't care about what he's saying.
周囲の無関心が一番辛いです。
Shuui no mukanshin ga ichiban tsurai desu.
The indifference of those around me is the hardest part.

Two coworkers are discussing a recent change in the office environment.

大翔 Hiroto

最近、みんな無関心に見えるね。
Saikin, minna mukanshin ni mieru ne.
Everyone seems indifferent lately, don't they?
美咲 Misaki

忙しすぎて、余裕がないのかも。
Isogashisugite, yoyuu ga nai no kamo.
Maybe they are just too busy and have no mental capacity.
大翔 Hiroto

美咲さんの言う通りかもしれない。
Misaki-san no iu toori kamoshirenai.
That might be true, Misaki.
美咲 Misaki

少し心配だね。
Sukoshi shinpai da ne.
It is a little worrying.

Sources

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