Translation guide
The English verb 'harass' covers a range of behaviors from persistent annoyance to serious intimidation. Japanese expresses these through specific verbs and phrases depending on the nature and severity of the act.
Expressing repeated, unwanted behavior that disturbs or irritates someone, often in daily life or social contexts.
A common, versatile phrase meaning 'to be persistent' or 'to pester'. It implies annoying repetition.
He always harasses me with phone calls.
Means 'to annoy', 'to trouble', or 'to cause distress'. It can be used for both minor and serious harassment.
I'm being harassed by the neighbor's noise.
Literally 'to follow around' or 'to shadow'. It implies persistent physical or social pursuit, often with a negative connotation.
A stalker is harassing her by following her around.
Referring to unwanted sexual advances, comments, or behavior, especially in workplace or power-imbalanced settings.
Describing bullying, intimidation, or abuse of authority in a professional setting.
Short for 'power harassment', this is the most common term for workplace bullying or abuse of authority.
The department manager is always harassing his subordinates.
Literally 'to bully at the workplace'. It is a more general term for workplace harassment, not limited to power dynamics.
He was harassed at work and quit.
Describing cyberbullying, trolling, or persistent unwanted digital contact.
A general phrase for 'to harass online'. It covers a wide range of behaviors from trolling to cyberstalking.
He harasses people online anonymously.
Means 'to troll' or 'to vandalize' online spaces like forums or social media. It implies disruptive, often repeated, behavior.
Describing repeated small-scale attacks or pressure tactics to wear down an enemy.
Literally 'to repeat attacks'. It conveys the idea of persistent, harassing military action.
The guerrilla unit harassed the enemy position with repeated attacks.
The causative form of '悩む' (to worry), meaning 'to cause trouble' or 'to harass' in a strategic sense.
They harassed the enemy with small-scale raids.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all meanings of 'harass'. Using a direct translation like 'ハラスする' is not natural. Instead, choose a specific verb or phrase based on the type of harassment.
He harassed me. (unnatural)
These are common loanwords for specific types of harassment: セクハラ (sexual harassment), パワハラ (power harassment, workplace bullying), and モラハラ (moral harassment, psychological abuse). They are used with をする to mean 'to do X harassment'.
He was sued for power harassment.
He was sued for sexually harassing a colleague.
There is a user who harasses the forum.