Translation guide
In Japanese, how you refer to a deaf person depends heavily on context, politeness, and the relationship. Direct translations exist but can sound clinical or rude. Often, describing the situation or using names/titles is more natural.
You want to refer to someone who is deaf in a respectful, everyday way without sounding medical or rude.
A polite, indirect phrase meaning 'a person with hearing difficulties'. Safe for most formal and polite situations.
耳の不自由な方のために字幕を用意しました。
We have prepared subtitles for people with hearing difficulties.
Similar to above but slightly less formal. Still polite and commonly used.
耳が不自由な人でも楽しめる映画です。
It's a movie that even people with hearing difficulties can enjoy.
The formal term for 'hearing-impaired person'. Used in official contexts, news, and legal documents. Can feel clinical in casual conversation.
聴覚障害者のための支援制度があります。
There are support systems for the hearing impaired.
Specifically means 'Deaf person' (culturally Deaf, often sign language user). Used within the Deaf community and in advocacy contexts. Not a general term for any deaf person.
彼はろう者で、手話を第一言語としています。
He is Deaf and uses sign language as his first language.
You're talking with friends or family and need to mention that someone is deaf or hard of hearing.
The most direct and common way to say 'a person who cannot hear'. Neutral in casual settings but can be too blunt in formal situations.
隣の席の人は耳が聞こえないみたい。
The person in the next seat seems to be deaf.
Literally 'a person whose ears are far', meaning hard of hearing. Often used for elderly people with age-related hearing loss. Softer than 耳が聞こえない.
祖母は耳が遠い人だから、大きい声で話してね。
My grandmother is hard of hearing, so please speak loudly.
Means 'hard-of-hearing person'. More specific than deaf; implies partial hearing loss. Used in medical or support contexts.
難聴者向けの補聴器を探しています。
I'm looking for hearing aids for the hard of hearing.
In many situations, Japanese speakers avoid labeling a person by their disability and instead use their name, role, or simply describe the situation.
Instead of saying 'the deaf person', use their name with an honorific (さん, くん, etc.) or their role (お客様, 先生, etc.). This is the most natural and respectful approach.
田中さんは耳が聞こえないので、筆談でお願いします。
Mr./Ms. Tanaka is deaf, so please communicate in writing.
Focus on the communication method or accommodation rather than the person's deafness.
手話通訳が必要なお客様がいらっしゃいます。
We have a customer who needs sign language interpretation.
The word つんぼ is a derogatory slur for a deaf person. Never use it. Even in historical contexts, it is offensive.
ろう者 (Deaf) refers to cultural/linguistic identity, often with sign language. 聴覚障害者 is a medical/legal term for anyone with hearing impairment. Use ろう者 only when you know the person identifies as culturally Deaf.
Japanese culture often prefers indirectness regarding disabilities. Phrases like 耳が不自由な方 or simply using the person's name are safer than direct labels.