パラノイド
paranoido
The English word "paranoid" can be translated into Japanese as パラノイド (paranoido).
The term パラノイド is primarily used in technical, medical or psychological contexts to describe specific types of delusions or personality disorders.
Meaning: exhibiting extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others (adj)
Which one should you use?
For formal discussions or psychological contexts, the term 偏執的 is often used to describe someone who is excessively suspicious or paranoid.
How do you pronounce it?
paranoido
Did you know?
- While パラノイド is a medical loanword, the word 疑心暗鬼 'gishinanki' evokes the image of demons appearing in the darkness because of one's own suspicious heart.
- The common phrase 被害妄想 'higai mōsō' is frequently used as a hyperbolic joke in Japanese variety shows and anime to describe someone who is simply overthinking a social situation.
- When someone is being 'too paranoid' in a non-medical sense, Japanese speakers often use the much softer phrase 考えすぎ 'kangaesugi'. This simply means 'thinking too much' and acts as a polite way to dismiss irrational fears.
Example conversation
Talking about a mutual friend's strange behavior.
- 大翔 Hiroto最近、彼がすごくパラノイドなんだ。saikin, kare ga sugoku paranoidu nanda.He's been really paranoid lately.
- 結衣 Yuiどうしてそう思うの？doushite sou omou no?Why do you think so?
- 大翔 Hiroto誰かが自分の計画を盗もうとしていると言っていた。dareka ga jibun no keikaku o nusumou to shite iru to itte ita.He said someone is trying to steal his plans.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは少し心配だね。sore wa sukoshi shinpai dane.That is a bit worrying.
