Translation guide
Describes a violent event with many deaths or injuries, or metaphorically a severe loss or defeat. Japanese uses different words for literal massacres, metaphorical carnage, and figurative 'bloodbaths' in business or sports.
A violent event where many people are killed, often in a brutal manner.
Literally 'great massacre'. The most direct and common term for a large-scale killing.
The war ended in a bloodbath.
General term for massacre or slaughter. Slightly less intense than 大虐殺.
The villagers were massacred.
Literally 'sea of blood'. Evokes a vivid image of bloodshed, often used in dramatic or literary contexts.
The battlefield turned into a bloodbath.
Originally a Buddhist term for a scene of carnage; now often used figuratively for a scene of chaos or intense conflict, but can refer to a literal bloodbath in historical or dramatic contexts.
It was a real bloodbath there.
A situation with heavy casualties, losses, or a crushing defeat, not necessarily literal killing.
Literally 'big defeat'. Commonly used in sports, elections, or business to describe a devastating loss.
The ruling party suffered a bloodbath in the election.
Crushing defeat, often with a nuance of being pitiful or miserable.
Devastating blow or damage. Used for severe setbacks in various contexts.
Literally 'blood festival'. Can be used figuratively for a brutal defeat or a situation where someone is made an example of, but has a strong aggressive nuance.
Often implies scapegoating or harsh treatment, not just a loss.
A chaotic, bloody fight or brawl, often with many injured.
Brawl, melee. Used for chaotic fights involving multiple people.
A bloodbath broke out in the bar.
Bloody disaster or incident. Emphasizes the bloodshed aspect.
Slaughter, carnage. Strong literary or historical word, often used for indiscriminate killing.
Directly translating 'bloodbath' as 血の風呂 (chi no furo) is not idiomatic and will not be understood. Use the context-appropriate terms above.
大虐殺 emphasizes the scale (great massacre), while 虐殺 is a general term for massacre. For historical events like the Nanjing Massacre, 大虐殺 is commonly used (南京大虐殺).
チームは惨敗を喫した。
The team suffered a bloodbath.
The scandal was a bloodbath for the company.
The new employee was thrown into a bloodbath (metaphorically).
The conflict turned into a bloodbath.
敵軍は無差別の殺戮を行った。
The enemy forces carried out a bloodbath.