Translation guide
The English verb 'deceive' covers a range of situations from outright lying to misleading or tricking someone. In Japanese, the best word depends on the method and intent: whether it's a simple lie, a scam, cheating, or a more subtle misdirection. This guide organizes the most common and natural Japanese expressions by the type of deception.
To say something untrue with the intent to mislead someone.
The most general and common word for 'deceive'. It covers lying, tricking, and cheating. Can be used in many contexts.
彼は私を騙した。
He deceived me.
簡単に騙されないでください。
Please don't be easily deceived.
Literally 'to tell a lie'. More specific than 騙す, focusing on the act of lying rather than the broader act of deceiving.
彼は私に嘘をついた。
He lied to me.
To falsify or misrepresent something, often used in formal or written contexts. Implies a deliberate distortion of facts.
彼は身分を偽って入国した。
He entered the country under a false identity.
To deceive someone in order to gain money, property, or an advantage, often through a scheme.
Again the most common word. When used in contexts of fraud or scams, it implies tricking someone for gain.
詐欺師は老人を騙して金を取った。
The con artist deceived the elderly person and took their money.
To defraud or swindle. More specific to criminal deception for financial gain.
彼は投資詐欺に多くの人をかけた。
He defrauded many people in an investment scam.
To swindle or hoodwink. A bit old-fashioned or colloquial, often used for clever tricks.
あのセールスマンにペテンにかけられた。
I was hoodwinked by that salesman.
To be unfaithful in a romantic relationship.
The standard term for cheating in a relationship. Implies a breach of trust, but not necessarily a long-term affair.
彼氏が浮気をしているみたい。
It seems my boyfriend is cheating on me.
Specifically refers to an extramarital affair. More serious and often carries a stronger social stigma.
彼は不倫をして離婚した。
He had an affair and got divorced.
To cause someone to believe something that is not true, without necessarily telling a direct lie.
To cause a misunderstanding. Often used when someone is misled by ambiguous words or actions.
彼の言葉は私を誤解させた。
His words misled me.
To confuse, bewilder, or lead astray. Often used for deceptive appearances or distractions.
甘い言葉に惑わされてはいけない。
Don't be deceived by sweet words.
A literary or formal word for 'deceive'. Often implies a clever or artful deception.
To refuse to accept the truth about something.
Literally 'to deceive oneself'. The most direct translation.
彼は自分を騙している。
He is deceiving himself.
To be convinced of something (often falsely). Implies self-deception through stubborn belief.
彼女はまだ彼が戻ってくると思い込んでいる。
She is still deceiving herself that he will come back.
騙す (damasu) is broader and includes any act of deception, while 嘘をつく (uso o tsuku) specifically means telling a lie. You can 騙す someone without saying a word, but 嘘をつく always involves a false statement.
彼は嘘をついて私を騙した。
He deceived me by lying.
While 騙す is the most common equivalent, it can sound too strong or direct in some situations. For milder cases of misleading, consider 誤解させる (gokai saseru) or 惑わす (madowasu).
彼は巧みに敵を欺いた。
He skillfully deceived the enemy.