Translation guide
The English word 'cunning' describes someone who is clever at achieving goals through deceit or evasion. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various words and phrases that emphasize different aspects: slyness, craftiness, strategic cleverness, or underhandedness. The most common and versatile term is ずるい (zurui), which covers a wide range of situations from playful cheating to serious dishonesty.
Describing a person, action, or plan that is clever but dishonest or underhanded, often to gain an unfair advantage.
The most common and versatile word for 'cunning' in everyday Japanese. It can describe people, actions, or methods that are sly, crafty, or unfair. It ranges from mild (like cheating in a game) to serious (like swindling someone). Often used in casual conversation.
He passed the exam by cunning means.
That's not fair! (You're cheating!)
A more formal and literary term for cunning, emphasizing craftiness and slyness. Often used in written descriptions of villains or shrewd politicians. It carries a stronger negative connotation than ずるい.
He is a cunning politician.
Literally 'bad-clever', this adjective describes someone who is cunning in a malicious or wicked way. It implies intelligence used for harmful purposes.
I was tricked by a cunning swindler.
A combination of ずるい and 賢い (clever), meaning sly and crafty. Similar to 悪賢い but slightly less malicious; often used for someone who is shrewd and manipulative.
What a cunning guy.
Describing intelligence used skillfully to achieve a goal, often in a way that is admired. This can overlap with 'shrewd' or 'wily'.
Means ingenious, clever, or skillful. While not inherently negative, it can describe cunning plans or schemes when the context involves deception. It emphasizes the cleverness of the method.
He swindled money through a cunning scheme.
Describes someone who is experienced and wily, often with a nuance of being crafty due to age or experience. It can be neutral or slightly negative, like 'sly old fox'.
A noun meaning 'strategist' or 'schemer'. It can be used positively for a brilliant tactician, or negatively for a cunning plotter. Context determines the nuance.
Focusing on the dishonesty and trickery aspect of cunning, often involving lies or manipulation.
A noun meaning swindle, fraud, or trickery. It refers to cunning acts of deception, often for financial gain. Commonly used in compounds like ペテン師 (swindler).
His story was a cunning lie.
A formal term for deception or deceit. It implies a cunning concealment of truth, often used in philosophical or critical contexts.
Referring to cunning as an abstract concept or a specific act of slyness.
The noun form of ずるい, meaning slyness or cunning. It refers to the quality of being unfair or crafty.
I'm amazed at his cunning.
The noun form of 狡猾, meaning craftiness or cunning. More formal and literary.
I didn't notice the cunning of that plan.
A literary term for cunning or wiles, often used in historical or dramatic contexts. It implies a deep, scheming intelligence.
ずるい is the everyday word for 'cunning' and often implies unfairness or cheating. 狡猾 is more formal and emphasizes crafty, scheming behavior, often with a negative moral judgment. 巧妙 focuses on the cleverness or ingenuity of a method, and can be positive or negative depending on context. Use ずるい for casual situations, 狡猾 for written or formal descriptions of villainous cunning, and 巧妙 when you want to highlight the skillfulness of a cunning act.
Don't be cunning (don't cheat).
He deceived the victim with a cunning scheme.
I fell for a cunning trick.
In English, 'cunning' can sometimes be used playfully or admiringly (e.g., 'a cunning plan'). In Japanese, directly translating this with ずるい or 狡猾 usually sounds negative. To express admiration for cleverness, use words like 巧妙 (ingenious) or 賢い (clever/smart) instead, unless the context clearly involves trickery that is being praised.
I admired his cunning strategy.
老獪な商人は簡単には騙されない。
A cunning merchant is not easily fooled.
He is known as a cunning strategist in politics.
His words are full of cunning deceit.
He is a person of great cunning.