Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'harassment' depends heavily on context. The loanword ハラスメント is widely used for modern workplace/social issues, while native terms like 嫌がらせ cover general nuisance behavior. Legal and formal contexts use specific terms.
To describe acts that annoy, bother, or trouble someone, often repeatedly.
The most common native word for harassment in the sense of malicious annoyance or nuisance. Covers a wide range of behaviors from pranks to persistent bothering.
近所の人から嫌がらせを受けています。
I'm being harassed by a neighbor.
それはただの嫌がらせだ。
That's just harassment.
Specifically refers to bullying, often in school or workplace contexts. Implies a power imbalance and repeated behavior.
学校でのいじめが問題になっている。
Bullying at school has become a problem.
A more formal term for nuisance or annoying behavior. Often used in legal or official contexts, such as public nuisance.
電車内での迷惑行為はやめてください。
Please refrain from nuisance behavior on the train.
To refer to recognized forms of harassment in professional settings, often using loanwords.
The general loanword for 'harassment', widely understood in modern Japanese. Often combined with other words to specify types (e.g., パワハラ, セクハラ).
ハラスメント防止の研修を受けた。
I attended a harassment prevention training.
To describe harassment in legal, police, or official complaint contexts.
Stalking behavior, legally defined and often used in police reports.
ストーカー行為で逮捕された。
He was arrested for stalking.
Intimidation or threats, often used in legal contexts for severe harassment involving threats.
脅迫めいたメールが届いた。
I received a threatening email.
Persistent following or hanging around, often used in anti-stalking laws.
元彼の付きまといに困っている。
I'm troubled by my ex-boyfriend's stalking.
To describe harassment via the internet or social media.
Cyberbullying, specifically online bullying.
ネットいじめが深刻化している。
Cyberbullying is getting worse.
嫌がらせ is a native Japanese word covering general nuisance and malicious annoyance. ハラスメント is a loanword used primarily for recognized categories like power harassment or sexual harassment. In everyday conversation about minor annoyances, 嫌がらせ is more natural. In formal HR or legal contexts, specific ハラスメント terms are expected.
近所トラブルは嫌がらせと言うが、会社での問題はハラスメントと呼ばれることが多い。
Neighborhood troubles are called 嫌がらせ, but workplace issues are often called ハラスメント.
While ハラスメント is common in media, using it for minor personal conflicts can sound overly dramatic or legalistic. For everyday annoyances, 嫌がらせ or 迷惑 are safer choices.
Power harassment (abuse of authority). Often abbreviated as パワハラ.
上司からのパワハラに悩んでいる。
I'm suffering from power harassment by my boss.
Sexual harassment. Often abbreviated as セクハラ.
セクハラは絶対に許されない。
Sexual harassment is absolutely unacceptable.
Moral harassment (psychological bullying). Often abbreviated as モラハラ.
モラハラは精神的な暴力だ。
Moral harassment is psychological violence.
Slander and defamation online. Often used for malicious comments and reputation damage.
SNSでの誹謗中傷に悩まされている。
I'm troubled by slander on social media.