Translation guide
The English word 'bum' has several distinct meanings: a homeless person or vagrant, a lazy person, buttocks, and as a verb meaning to borrow or get for free. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
To refer to a person who lives on the streets or wanders without a home.
The most common and neutral term for a homeless person. Borrowed from English.
There are many homeless people near the station.
A more formal or dated term for a vagrant or wanderer. Can sound harsh or legalistic.
A vagrant is sleeping in the park.
An old-fashioned term from German 'Lumpen', now considered derogatory. Avoid in modern speech.
This term is outdated and can be offensive.
There were people once called 'lumpen'.
To describe someone who avoids work or is habitually idle.
A common word for a lazy person. Can be used affectionately or critically.
He's a lazy bum, lying on the sofa all day.
A colloquial term for a lazy person or idler. Often used as a noun or na-adjective.
Literally 'unemployed'. Can imply laziness depending on context, but is more factual.
To refer to the buttocks or rear end, often in informal contexts.
The standard polite word for buttocks. Suitable for most situations.
I fell and bumped my bum.
A very casual and somewhat vulgar term for buttocks, similar to 'ass' in English.
The anatomical term for buttocks. Used in medical or formal contexts.
To ask for or obtain something without paying, often casually or persistently.
A verb meaning to mooch, sponge off, or bum something from someone. Implies a degree of imposition.
He's always bumming off his friends.
Let me bum a cigarette.
To pester someone for something, often money. Stronger nuance of begging or wheedling.
Simply means 'to borrow'. Use when the act is neutral and not necessarily mooching.
While 'bum' can mean buttocks in British English, the direct Japanese equivalent depends on formality. Using 'ケツ' in polite company is rude; stick to 'お尻' unless you're with close friends.
Both mean to mooch, but 'たかる' is more about sponging off someone habitually or for small items, while 'せびる' emphasizes persistent begging, often for money. 'たかる' can also mean to swarm (like insects), but that's a separate meaning.
あいつは本当にぐうたらだ。
That guy is a real bum.
彼は無職で、仕事を探す気もない。
He's unemployed and doesn't even look for a job.
My bum hurts.
臀部に注射を打たれた。
I got an injection in my buttock.
子供がお小遣いをせびる。
The kid is bumming for pocket money.
ペンを借りてもいい？
Can I bum a pen? (literally: Can I borrow a pen?)