Translation guide
The English term "back door" can refer to a physical rear entrance, a secret or indirect method, or a computing vulnerability. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to a door at the back of a building or vehicle.
Referring to a clandestine or unofficial way to achieve something, often bypassing normal procedures.
Referring to a hidden method of bypassing authentication or securing remote access in a computer system.
When referring to a secret method, do not use 裏のドア (back door literally). Use 裏口 or other context-appropriate terms.
Standard term for a back door or rear entrance of a building.
Please enter through the back door.
Refers specifically to a kitchen door or service entrance in a house, often used for deliveries or taking out trash.
The back door is in the kitchen.
Refers to a back gate rather than a door, but often used for the rear entrance of a property.
The back gate is always closed.
Literal translation, less common. Use only when specifying the door itself rather than the entrance.
Please lock the back door.
Also used metaphorically for backdoor dealings, such as gaining admission or influence through unofficial channels.
He got into university through a backdoor admission.
Specifically means backdoor dealings or under-the-table transactions.
The company was criticized for backdoor dealings.
Means a back channel or unofficial route, often used in business or politics.
We obtained the information through a back channel.
Literally 'bypass road', used for loopholes or workarounds, including backdoor methods.
Look for a backdoor in the law.
Loanword from English, widely used in IT contexts.
The software had a backdoor installed.
Japanese term for a backdoor program, though less common than the loanword.
The hacker broke in using a backdoor program.