Translation guide
A guide to expressing 'have sex' in Japanese, from neutral to slang, with notes on formality and context.
To say 'have sex' in a neutral or polite way, suitable for formal contexts or when speaking with strangers.
The most direct and neutral term, equivalent to 'have sexual intercourse'. Used in formal or medical contexts.
They had sex.
The most common and neutral loanword for 'have sex'. Widely understood and used in everyday conversation.
I had sex with my girlfriend yesterday.
Literally 'to have a physical relationship'. A slightly more formal or euphemistic way to say 'have sex'.
To say 'have sex' in a casual or slangy way, used among friends or in informal settings.
A very common slang verb meaning 'to do' or 'to have sex'. Crude but widely used among close friends.
To refer to having sex indirectly, often to avoid being explicit.
Literally 'to have a relationship', but often implies a sexual relationship. Context-dependent.
To express 'have sex' in a vulgar or explicit manner, often used in crude contexts.
Literally 'to violate' or 'to rape', but can be used vulgarly to mean 'have sex' in a forceful or degrading way. Use with extreme caution.
This word implies violence or lack of consent. Do not use lightly.
Many Japanese terms for 'have sex' are highly context-dependent. Using a vulgar term in a formal setting can be extremely inappropriate. When in doubt, use 'セックスする' or '性交する'.
While '寝る' (to sleep) can imply sex, it is ambiguous. 'セックスする' is explicit. Use '寝る' only when the context makes the meaning clear.
I slept with him (could mean just sleeping or sex).
Did you have sex with him?
They are having a physical relationship.
昨日、やった？
Did you have sex yesterday?
Literally 'to sleep', but often used euphemistically to mean 'have sex', especially when combined with 'with someone'.
I slept with him (had sex).
From the letter 'H', a common euphemism for sex. Slightly childish or playful, but widely used.
Let's have sex.
Onomatopoeic slang for having sex, implying a rhythmic sound. Very casual and somewhat vulgar.
I want to have sex.
I had a relationship (sexual) with her.
Literally 'to spend a night together', a romantic or literary euphemism for having sex.
They spent the night together (had sex).
Literally 'to pile up bodies', a poetic euphemism for having sex.
The two had sex.
I had sex with her (forcefully).
彼とセックスした。
I had sex with him (unambiguous).
They had sex last night.