Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the concept of having sexual intercourse in Japanese, ranging from formal and medical terms to casual and slang expressions. The focus is on natural usage for an English-speaking learner.
To say 'have sexual intercourse' in a neutral, standard way, suitable for most contexts including formal or written.
Common loanword from English 'sex'. Widely understood and used in casual to semi-formal speech. More colloquial than 性交する.
昨日、彼女とセックスした。
I had sex with my girlfriend yesterday.
Literally 'to have a physical relationship'. A euphemistic and somewhat formal way to refer to sexual intercourse, often used in serious discussions or writing.
彼らは肉体関係を持っていた。
They had a physical relationship.
To express 'have sexual intercourse' in very casual or slangy ways, often among friends or in informal settings.
A versatile slang verb meaning 'to do' or 'to have sex'. Very casual and can be crude. Context makes the meaning clear.
Can sound vulgar or objectifying if used inappropriately. Avoid in polite conversation.
昨日、やった？
Did you do it yesterday?
Literally 'to sleep', but euphemistically means 'to have sex' when context implies sharing a bed. Common in casual speech.
彼と寝た。
I slept with him.
From the letter 'H' (ecchi), meaning 'perverted' or 'sex'. A common, slightly childish or playful way to say 'have sex'. Used among young people.
彼氏とエッチした。
I had sex with my boyfriend.
Onomatopoeic slang for the sound of sex, used as a verb. Very crude and vulgar, often used in online or male-oriented banter.
Extremely vulgar. Only use with close friends who understand the crudeness, if at all.
あの子とパコりたい。
I wanna bang that girl.
To refer to sexual intercourse in strictly formal, medical, or legal contexts.
A formal term meaning 'to have sexual relations'. Used in legal, medical, or official documents.
被告人は被害者と性交渉を持った。
The defendant had sexual intercourse with the victim.
Biological term for copulation, used for animals or in clinical descriptions of human intercourse. Very technical.
この種は春に交接する。
This species copulates in spring.
To allude to having sexual intercourse without being explicit, often in polite or sensitive conversations.
Literally 'to have a relationship', but context implies sexual relationship. Softer than 肉体関係を持つ.
彼とは関係を持ってしまった。
I ended up having a relationship (sexual) with him.
Idiom meaning 'to cross the line', implying moving from a platonic to a sexual relationship. Used in dramatic or narrative contexts.
二人はついに一線を越えた。
The two finally crossed the line (had sex).
Poetic expression meaning 'to lay bodies on top of each other', a euphemism for sex. Found in novels or songs.
愛し合った二人は体を重ねた。
The two in love lay together (had sex).
While セックスする is a common loanword, directly translating 'have sexual intercourse' as 性交する can sound overly clinical in casual conversation. Choose the term based on context and relationship.
友達に「昨日性交した？」とは普通聞かない。
You wouldn't normally ask a friend 'Did you have sexual intercourse yesterday?'
やる is the most crude and direct, often used by males. 寝る is a softer euphemism focusing on the act of sleeping together. エッチする is playful and common among younger people, but can sound childish. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
彼は「やった」と言ったが、彼女は「寝た」と言った。
He said 'I did it' but she said 'I slept with him'.