Translation guide
A clinical term for a mental health condition characterized by a long-term pattern of disregarding or violating the rights of others. In Japanese, it is most commonly referred to by the direct translation 反社会性パーソナリティ障害, but other terms exist depending on context.
The formal psychiatric diagnosis as defined in diagnostic manuals like DSM-5 or ICD-10.
This is the standard, direct translation used in Japanese clinical settings and corresponds to the DSM-5 term. It is widely understood among mental health professionals.
He was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder.
An alternative term that uses 人格 (personality) instead of the katakana パーソナリティ. It is less common but still used in some medical literature.
Patients with antisocial personality disorder often engage in illegal behavior.
A less common variant that uses 非社会性 (asociality) instead of 反社会性. It may appear in older or translated texts but is not the standard term.
This study investigated the prevalence of antisocial personality disorder.
Sometimes 'sociopathy' is used interchangeably with antisocial personality disorder in English, though it is not an official diagnosis. In Japanese, a similar distinction exists.
In everyday English, 'psychopath' is often used to describe someone with antisocial traits, though clinically it is distinct. Japanese has a similar colloquial usage.
The English word 'antisocial' can also mean 'unsociable' or 'withdrawn' in everyday language. In Japanese, 反社会的 (はんしゃかいてき) specifically refers to behavior that goes against societal norms or laws, not shyness. Do not use 反社会性パーソナリティ障害 to describe someone who is simply introverted or asocial.
He engages in antisocial behavior (i.e., criminal or norm-violating).
She is not sociable, but she does not have antisocial personality disorder.
反社会性パーソナリティ障害 is the formal clinical diagnosis, while サイコパス is a colloquial term often used in media. In professional settings, use the full clinical term. In casual conversation, サイコパス may be understood but is imprecise.
A direct translation of 'sociopathy' using kanji. It is rarely used and may be found in older psychiatric texts.
Sociopathy is sometimes considered synonymous with antisocial personality disorder.
The kanji term for 'psychopathy'. It is more technical and less common in everyday speech, but may appear in academic contexts.
Research on psychopathy is advancing in the field of criminal psychology.