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.
The conflict turned into a bloodbath.
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).
敵軍は無差別の殺戮を行った。
The enemy forces carried out a bloodbath.