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.
You bastard!
I won't forgive that bastard.
Stronger than 野郎, literally 'shit bastard'. Very vulgar.
That bastard lied again.
Literally 'beast', used as an exclamation or insult like 'bastard!' or 'damn it!'.
Bastard! I lost again.
Means 'inhuman' or 'brute', a strong condemnation of someone's character.
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.
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.
This job is a real bastard.
Means 'troublesome thing', a common way to describe a difficult situation.
This problem is a bastard.
Used for a formidable opponent or tough competitor, like 'a bastard to beat'.
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.
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.