Translation guide
A person used by another to do unpleasant or risky work, often without realizing they are being manipulated.
To describe someone who is manipulated into doing another's dirty work, often unwittingly.
Literally 'hand tip', this is the most direct and common way to refer to a person used as a tool or pawn. It implies being under someone's control.
To describe the action of manipulating someone into doing something risky or unpleasant.
General verb meaning 'to use' or 'to exploit'. Can be used for both people and things. When used for people, it often implies taking advantage of them.
彼は私を利用して危険な仕事をさせた。
He made me do the dangerous work, using me as a cat's-paw.
The literal translation '猫の手' (ねこのて) means 'cat's paw' in the physical sense, not the idiomatic meaning. Avoid using it to mean a manipulated person.
手先 (てさき) is the most common and neutral term for a cat's-paw, implying someone is used as a tool. 傀儡 (かいらい) is stronger, suggesting a puppet with no will of their own, often used in political contexts.
彼は上司の手先として使われていた。
He was used as a cat's-paw by his boss.
Means 'puppet'. Stronger connotation of being completely controlled by someone else, often in political or organizational contexts.
彼はただの傀儡に過ぎない。
He is nothing more than a cat's-paw.
Refers to an errand boy or gofer, someone sent to do menial or risky tasks. Less about manipulation and more about being ordered around.
彼は組織の使い走りにされた。
He was made into a cat's-paw for the organization.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'to use someone as a means to an end' or 'to exploit someone'. Often used when someone is used for personal gain.
彼は友達をダシに使って金を手に入れた。
He used his friend as a cat's-paw to get money.
Literally 'to use as a hand tip', this directly conveys the cat's-paw concept. It emphasizes the instrumental nature of the relationship.
彼は弟を手先に使って悪事を働いた。
He used his younger brother as a cat's-paw to commit crimes.