Translation guide
The quality of being overtly sexual, lustful, or lewd. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns describing lewdness, adjectives for lecherous behavior, and set phrases. The most common and natural ways to convey this idea depend on context, ranging from formal terms for obscenity to casual words for pervertedness.
To refer to the abstract quality of being sexually indecent or obscene, often in a formal or descriptive context.
The standard term for obscenity or lewdness, used in legal and formal contexts. It can refer to acts, materials, or behavior.
The film was judged to be obscene.
Refers to lust or lewdness, often with a nuance of lechery or a strong sexual appetite. Slightly literary.
An adjective/noun meaning lewd, indecent, or wanton. Often used to describe behavior or thoughts.
Obscenity mixed with vulgarity or coarseness. Less common, often used for atmosphere or content.
To describe a person's character or actions as lustful, lecherous, or perverted, often in everyday conversation.
A very common casual term for lecherousness or being a pervert. Can be used as a noun or adjective.
That guy is really lecherous, isn't he.
Slang adjective meaning erotic, sexy, or lewd. Often used for things or people that are sexually suggestive.
Alternate kanji for スケベ, slightly more formal but still casual. Means lecherous or lewd.
Literally 'pervert', often used to describe someone with abnormal sexual desires. Stronger than スケベ.
Euphemistic term for sexual or lewd things. Can mean 'perverted' or simply 'sex'. Often used playfully.
To express the feeling of strong sexual desire or lust, often in a more psychological or literary sense.
Lust or sexual desire, often used in religious or philosophical contexts (one of the seven deadly sins).
You must not give in to lust.
Sexual passion or carnal desire. Slightly more emotional than 色欲.
Carnal desire, emphasizing the physical aspect. Less common in everyday speech.
English 'lasciviousness' is formal and rare. In everyday Japanese, use スケベ or エロい to describe lewd behavior or people. Using 猥褻 in casual chat sounds overly technical.
He's a lecher.
スケベ implies a healthy or humorous level of lecherousness, while 変態 suggests abnormal or perverted tendencies and can be insulting.
We get excited talking about lewd stuff.
He was arrested for perverted acts.
彼は好色で知られている。
He is known for his lasciviousness.
Lewd acts are not permitted.
その小説には猥雑な表現が多い。
That novel contains many obscene expressions.
That underwear is pretty lewd.
助平な冗談はやめてください。
Please stop making lewd jokes.
彼は変態だと思う。
I think he's a pervert.
He's reading a dirty book.
彼は情欲を抑えられなかった。
He couldn't control his lust.
肉欲に溺れる。
To be consumed by carnal desires.