Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the concept of losing one's virginity in Japanese, including common phrases, euphemisms, and slang.
To say someone lost their virginity in a neutral or standard way.
Literally 'to have one's first experience'. A neutral and common way to refer to losing one's virginity without being overly explicit.
彼は高校生の時に初めての経験をした。
He lost his virginity when he was in high school.
Literally 'to have one's first experience'. Often used specifically for sexual experience. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
To refer to losing one's virginity in a softer or more indirect way.
Literally 'to have one's first relationship'. A euphemistic way to say losing one's virginity, often used in polite conversation.
彼らは結婚するまで初めての関係を持たなかった。
They didn't lose their virginity until they got married.
To talk about losing one's virginity in very casual or slangy terms.
Slang term for losing one's virginity, originally meaning 'to use a new brush for the first time'. Can be used for both genders but often implies a male losing virginity to an experienced partner.
彼は先輩に筆おろしをしてもらった。
He lost his virginity to an older (more experienced) partner.
Terms like 処女 (shojo) and 童貞 (dōtei) are gender-specific. 処女 refers to female virginity, while 童貞 refers to male virginity. Using the wrong term can cause confusion or offense.
初体験 (shottaiken) is more directly associated with sexual experience, while 初めての経験 (hajimete no keiken) can refer to any first experience but is commonly understood as sexual in context. 初体験 is more explicit.
彼女は大学生になって初体験をした。
She lost her virginity after becoming a university student.
Literally 'to lose one's virginity' (female). This is a direct translation but can sound somewhat literary or formal. More commonly used for females.
彼女はその夜、処女を失った。
She lost her virginity that night.
Literally 'to throw away one's virginity' (male). Used for males. Can be casual or slightly humorous.
彼はついに童貞を捨てた。
He finally lost his virginity.
Literally 'to cross the line'. A common euphemism for having sex for the first time or taking a relationship to a physical level.
あの二人はついに一線を越えたらしい。
It seems those two finally crossed the line (had sex).
Literally 'to offer one's first time'. Can sound dramatic or romantic, often used in fiction or emotional contexts.
彼女は愛する人に初めてを捧げた。
She gave her virginity to the person she loved.
When was your first time? (sexual)
初めての経験は緊張した。
I was nervous about my first experience. (could be sexual or not)
When was your first time? (sexual)
初めての経験は緊張した。
I was nervous about my first experience. (could be sexual or not)