The purpose here is not to translate the storybook of “The Velveteen Rabbit”. I will use scenes from the story as examples to help students be on the same page. That allows students to learn more accurate expressions for everyday Japanese conversation.
Let’s translate the following sentences into Japanese in a natural way!
Note: This is not a word-for-word translation.
/ The mechanical toys were very superior,
/ and looked down upon every one else;
/ they were full of modern ideas,
/ and pretended they were real.
Formal
/ 機械仕掛けのおもちゃたちはとても傲慢な態度で、
/ 他のおもちゃを見下していました。
/ 彼らには現代的なアイデアがたくさん使われていて、
/ あたかも自分たちは本物であるかのようにふるまっていました。
Casual
/ 機械仕掛けのおもちゃたちはすっごく偉そうに、
/ 他のおもちゃを見下してて。
/ 新しいアイデアもいっぱい入ってて、
/ まるで自分たちは本物と言わんばかりで。
Advanced Tips
superior
The word ‘superior’ means the following in this context. Its synonym is ‘arrogant.’
showing by your behaviour that you think you are better than others
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
In Japanese, we can also say the following.
高慢（ちき）な、横柄な、高飛車な、尊大な、居丈高な、不遜な
I feel like that 高慢（ちき）な and 高飛車な are more likely to be used for women.
