Translation guide
The concept of acting in a dishonest or two-faced way, often betraying trust. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, verbs, and idiomatic phrases that emphasize duplicity, betrayal, or hypocrisy.
Describing someone who pretends to be loyal or friendly while secretly acting against others.
Literally 'two hearts', this noun refers to duplicity or double-dealing, often in the context of loyalty or fidelity.
He was a loyal retainer without any double-dealing.
Literally 'two forks', this can mean double-dealing, especially in the sense of playing both sides or two-timing in relationships.
He is double-dealing (two-timing).
Literally 'back and front', this noun describes a person who shows a different face in public versus private, i.e., two-facedness.
He is a double-dealing person.
Literally 'two-tongued', this idiomatic noun means double-dealing or speaking with a forked tongue.
I'm fed up with his double-dealing.
Acting against someone's trust, often secretly or in a harmful way.
The most common word for betrayal or treachery, often implying a breach of trust.
I can't forgive his double-dealing.
A more formal term for betrayal or breach of faith, often used in serious contexts.
A verb meaning to switch sides or betray one's group, often used in political or competitive contexts.
Pretending to have beliefs or virtues that one does not actually hold.
Supporting two opposing parties to gain advantage, often secretly.
Avoid directly translating 'double-dealing' as 二重取引 (niju torihiki), which means 'double transaction' in a business sense and does not convey duplicity.
それは背信行為だ。
That is an act of double-dealing.
彼は敵に寝返った。
He double-crossed us and went over to the enemy.
Be careful, he's a double-dealer.
He is double-dealing between the company and the union.