Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the state or experience of being excluded, shunned, or ignored by a group in Japanese. It focuses on natural expressions for social isolation, from everyday situations to severe bullying.
Expressing that someone is being left out, ignored, or not included in social activities.
The most common and natural way to say 'being ostracized' or 'left out' by friends or a group. It implies active exclusion.
彼はクラスで仲間外れにされている。
He is being ostracized by his class.
仲間外れにされるのが一番つらい。
Being left out is the hardest thing.
A traditional term for ostracism from a village community. Now used metaphorically for complete social exclusion, often in formal or serious contexts.
彼は地域社会から村八分にされた。
He was ostracized by the local community.
Similar to 仲間外れ, but slightly more colloquial. It means being treated as an outsider or excluded.
私だけのけ者にされた。
I was the only one left out.
Literally 'to be ignored'. It can imply ostracism when it's persistent and deliberate, but it's a broader term for being disregarded.
彼女に無視されて悲しい。
I'm sad because she's ignoring me.
Expressing formal or severe exclusion, often as a punishment or due to breaking social norms.
Banishment or expulsion. Used for being kicked out of a group, organization, or place. Stronger than just being ignored.
彼は村から追放された。
He was banished from the village.
Breaking off relations; cutting someone off completely. Often used for personal relationships.
To be shunned or ostracized, literally 'to be flicked away with a finger'. Somewhat literary or old-fashioned.
彼は社会から爪弾きにされた。
He was shunned by society.
Specifically referring to the form of bullying where a child is systematically excluded by peers.
Explicitly states that the ostracism is part of bullying (いじめ). Common in discussions about school bullying.
娘がいじめで仲間外れにされています。
My daughter is being ostracized as part of bullying.
Slang for being completely ignored, often used in school settings. Derived from a hanafuda card. Can be harsh.
クラスメートにシカトされてる。
I'm being given the silent treatment by my classmates.
仲間外れ is the most common and neutral term for social exclusion. 村八分 implies a severe, often traditional or complete ostracism. 無視 simply means ignoring and may not always imply group exclusion.
仲間外れはよくあるいじめの形だ。
Ostracism is a common form of bullying.
村八分は昔の村社会の制裁だった。
Murahachibu was a sanction in old village societies.
無視するのはよくない。
Ignoring someone is not good.
The English word 'ostracize' comes from Greek 'ostrakon'. There is no direct equivalent in Japanese. Avoid literal translations; use the phrases above depending on context.
友達に絶交された。
My friend cut me off.