Translation guide
Describes someone who says one thing but does another, or whose actions contradict their stated beliefs. Japanese has several words for this, but the most common and natural is 偽善者 (gizensha).
A person who pretends to have virtues, morals, or beliefs that they do not actually possess.
The standard, neutral word for 'hypocrite'. Literally 'false-virtue person'. Suitable for most contexts.
He is a hypocrite.
I don't want to be a hypocrite.
A more literary or formal term for a hypocrite, especially one who feigns moral superiority. Often used in written or intellectual contexts.
He is nothing but a hypocrite.
Literally 'a person who is only lip service'. Emphasizes the gap between words and actions. More colloquial than 偽善者.
That person is all talk.
Someone who behaves differently depending on the situation or audience, often deceitfully.
Literally 'two-tongued'. Refers to someone who says contradictory things to different people. Strongly negative.
He speaks with a forked tongue.
Describes a person who has a hidden side; two-faced. Often used as 'あの人は裏表がある'.
She is straightforward (not two-faced).
A person who criticizes others for faults they themselves have, often with a sense of moral superiority.
Idiom meaning 'to put one's own issues on the shelf', i.e., to ignore one's own faults while criticizing others. Very common in everyday speech.
He always criticizes others while ignoring his own faults.
Verb meaning 'to act like a hypocrite' or 'to be self-righteous'. Often used when someone is being preachy.
Stop being so self-righteous.
偽善者 is the everyday word for hypocrite. 偽君子 is more formal and often implies a calculated pretense of virtue, closer to 'sanctimonious hypocrite'. In most situations, 偽善者 is sufficient.
Avoid literal translations like 'ハイポクリット'. While understood by some, it sounds unnatural. Use the Japanese terms above.