Translation guide
The English word "crook" has several distinct meanings: a bent or curved object, a criminal, a bend in something, and a shepherd's staff. This guide helps learners express each meaning naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a person who engages in dishonest or illegal activities, especially a thief or swindler.
A general term for a villain or scoundrel, often used for criminals in a somewhat old-fashioned or dramatic sense.
あの悪党は詐欺で捕まった。
That crook was caught for fraud.
The standard, neutral word for 'criminal'. It covers all types of crime, not just theft or swindling.
彼は犯罪者として刑務所に入った。
He went to prison as a crook.
Specifically a swindler or con artist. Use this when the crook is involved in fraud or scams.
その詐欺師は老人から金をだまし取った。
That crook swindled money out of the elderly.
Means 'thief' or 'burglar'. Use when the crook is specifically a thief.
泥棒が家に押し入った。
A crook broke into the house.
A somewhat dated or colorful term for a con man or trickster. Similar to 詐欺師 but more colloquial.
あのペテン師に気をつけろ。
Watch out for that crook.
Describing something that is bent, hooked, or curved, like a crook in a wire or a shepherd's crook.
A general phrase meaning 'bent thing'. It can be used for any object that is crooked.
その棒は先が曲がっている。
The stick has a crook at the end.
A technical term for a curved part or bend, often used in engineering or anatomy.
パイプの湾曲部に注意してください。
Be careful of the crook in the pipe.
Means 'hook'. Can refer to a crook-shaped object like a hook or a shepherd's crook.
Referring to a bend in a road, river, or path.
A corner or turning point, often used for roads. It implies a sharp bend.
その道の曲がり角に郵便局がある。
There's a post office at the crook in the road.
A noun meaning 'curve' or 'bend'. More formal and often used for rivers or natural features.
A technical or literary term for a bend or curve, often used in geography or anatomy.
The hooked staff used by shepherds.
Literally 'shepherd's staff'. The most direct translation.
羊飼いは羊飼いの杖を使う。
The shepherd uses a crook.
A specific term for a shepherd's crook, but less common and somewhat technical.
牧杖は羊を導くのに使われる。
A crook is used to guide sheep.
The English word 'crook' for a criminal is informal. In Japanese, directly translating it as 曲がった人 would be nonsensical. Use the appropriate criminal term based on context.
The shepherd is holding a crook.
川の湾曲が美しい。
The crook of the river is beautiful.
道路の屈曲が多い。
There are many crooks in the road.