Translation guide
The English word "bastard" has multiple meanings: a child born outside marriage, a contemptible person, or something difficult. Japanese has different words for each sense, and direct translation often sounds unnatural. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To call someone a despicable or unpleasant person, often as a strong insult.
A common, rough insult for a man, similar to 'bastard' or 'jerk'. Often combined with other words.
この野郎！
You bastard!
あの野郎、許さない。
I won't forgive that bastard.
Stronger than 野郎, literally 'shit bastard'. Very vulgar.
あのクソ野郎がまた嘘をついた。
That bastard lied again.
Literally 'beast', used as an exclamation or insult like 'bastard!' or 'damn it!'.
畜生！また負けた。
Bastard! I lost again.
Means 'inhuman' or 'brute', a strong condemnation of someone's character.
あんな人でなしは初めてだ。
I've never met such a bastard.
To refer to a person whose parents were not married at birth.
Neutral, formal term for a child born out of wedlock. Used in legal or official contexts.
彼は私生児として生まれた。
He was born a bastard.
Legal term for an illegitimate child. Very formal.
Refers to a secret love child, often with a scandalous nuance.
To describe a task, situation, or thing that is extremely hard or annoying.
A natural way to say 'a real bastard' about a difficult thing. Not a direct insult.
この仕事は大変なものだ。
This job is a real bastard.
Means 'troublesome thing', a common way to describe a difficult situation.
この問題は厄介なものだ。
This problem is a bastard.
Used for a formidable opponent or tough competitor, like 'a bastard to beat'.
あのチームは手強い相手だ。
That team is a bastard to beat.
English 'bastard' as an insult doesn't have a single perfect equivalent. 野郎 is the closest, but it's rough and mainly used by men. In polite conversation, avoid these terms entirely.
彼は嫌な人だ。
He's a bastard. (polite version)
野郎 is a direct insult toward a person (like 'bastard'), while 畜生 is often an exclamation of frustration (like 'damn it!') but can also be directed at someone. 野郎 is more personal.
The inheritance rights of the bastard became an issue.
あの政治家には隠し子がいるらしい。
That politician apparently has a bastard child.