Translation guide
Describes someone who is clever at achieving their aims through indirect or deceptive methods. In Japanese, this can range from positive resourcefulness to negative cunning, depending on context.
Describing a person or action that is clever in a dishonest or manipulative way, often for personal gain.
The most direct equivalent for 'crafty' in a negative sense. Implies slyness and cunning, often with a connotation of deceit. Common in both spoken and written Japanese.
He outwitted his opponent with a crafty scheme.
A common, slightly colloquial term meaning 'sly' or 'cunning'. Emphasizes selfish cleverness. Often used in everyday conversation.
He's a crafty guy, never misses a trick.
Literally 'bad-clever', implying malicious cunning. Stronger negative nuance than ずる賢い.
A crafty politician was pulling strings behind the scenes.
Describes someone experienced and crafty, often with a nuance of worldly-wise cunning. Used for older, seasoned individuals.
A crafty old merchant never takes a loss.
Describing someone who is good at finding clever solutions, often in a practical or inventive way, without necessarily being dishonest.
Means 'ingenious' or 'clever'. Can be used for crafty plans or devices that are skillfully designed, often with a neutral or positive spin.
His crafty strategy led the team to victory.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'sharp', 'shrewd', or 'on the ball'. Describes someone who is alert and misses no opportunity, often in a crafty but not necessarily dishonest way.
Means 'smart-alecky' or 'clever in a shallow, annoying way'. Can be used for someone who is crafty but in a petty or irritating manner.
Describing an object, plan, or action that is cleverly and often intricately designed, sometimes with a hint of artful deception.
Means 'skillful' or 'ingenious'. Used for crafty workmanship or cleverly devised plans. Can be neutral or positive.
The craftsman makes furniture with crafty skill.
Literally 'elaborate' or 'intricate'. Describes something that is craftily made with attention to detail, sometimes implying a deceptive complexity.
No one noticed the crafty trick.
狡猾 (こうかつ) is more formal and often used in writing or serious contexts, while ずる賢い (ずるがしこい) is colloquial and commonly used in daily speech. Both imply cunning, but 狡猾 can sometimes be used neutrally to describe clever strategy, whereas ずる賢い almost always has a negative, selfish connotation.
In English, 'crafty' can sometimes be used positively (e.g., 'a crafty solution'). In Japanese, most direct equivalents carry a negative nuance. Use 巧妙 (こうみょう) or 巧み (たくみ) for positive cleverness, and reserve 狡猾 etc. for negative cunning.
He came up with a crafty plan to avoid work.
Negative nuance: cunning to shirk responsibility.
She gave a crafty smile when she saw the surprise.
Implies a knowing, slightly mischievous smile.
She's crafty and always negotiates good terms.
It's no use trying to be crafty.