Translation guide
The act of threatening to reveal secrets to force someone to do something, usually for money.
To refer to the act of extorting money or favors by threatening to expose secrets.
The most common legal and general term for blackmail or extortion. Often used in news and formal contexts.
He was arrested on charges of blackmail.
Refers to threats or intimidation, often used in the context of blackmail. Can also mean general threats.
She was blackmailed into handing over money.
A more colloquial term for blackmail or extortion, often implying a shakedown. Used in everyday speech.
That guy makes a living through blackmail.
A less common kanji compound for extortion or blackmail, often read as ゆすり in practice. Literary or formal.
He was indicted for blackmail.
To express the action of forcing someone to do something by threatening to reveal secrets.
The most natural way to say 'to blackmail someone'. The object is the person being blackmailed.
He blackmailed his boss into giving him a promotion.
Formal or legal term for blackmailing someone. Often used in news reports.
To threaten or intimidate someone, often in the context of blackmail. Can be used for general threats.
To refer to the secret information used to blackmail someone.
Literally 'weakness', but commonly used to mean something that can be used against someone, like blackmail material.
He has something on me (he knows my weak point).
Colloquial phrase meaning 'material for blackmail'. ネタ comes from たね (seed) reversed, meaning the core of a story or joke.
A more formal or legal term for blackmail material.
恐喝 (きょうかつ) is the legal term for blackmail/extortion and is used in formal contexts. 脅迫 (きょうはく) is broader, meaning 'threat' or 'intimidation', and can be used in blackmail situations but also for other threats. ゆすり is a colloquial term for blackmail or a shakedown, often used in everyday speech.
The English word 'blackmail' does not have a direct one-word equivalent in Japanese that covers all nuances. Use 恐喝 for the crime, ゆする for the action, and 弱み for the leverage.
He tried to blackmail me.
Blackmail is a serious crime.
The suspect is alleged to have blackmailed the victim.
He threatened to reveal the secret.
That photo was used as blackmail material.
He was gathering material for blackmail.