Translation guide
The English word 'maltreatment' refers to cruel or violent treatment of a person or animal. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 虐待 (gyakutai), which covers physical, emotional, and neglectful abuse. Other terms like 酷使 (kokushi) apply to overworking people or things, and 冷遇 (reiguu) refers to cold, neglectful treatment. This guide helps learners choose the right expression based on context.
To express physical, emotional, or neglectful abuse, especially of children, animals, or vulnerable people.
The standard word for abuse or maltreatment. Used for child abuse, animal abuse, elder abuse, etc. Can be used as a noun or with する to form a verb.
Child maltreatment is a serious problem.
He was arrested for maltreating a dog.
Means to oppress or treat cruelly, often in a systemic or ongoing way. More literary than 虐待.
In that country, ethnic minorities have been maltreated for many years.
Usually means 'to bully' rather than general maltreatment. Can be used for persistent cruel behavior, especially among children.
Maltreating the weak at school is unforgivable.
To express that a person, animal, or machine is being overworked or pushed too hard, leading to damage or exhaustion.
Means overworking or straining someone or something beyond reasonable limits. Often used for employees, machines, or body parts.
Maltreating employees by overworking them increases turnover.
I maltreated the old car by overusing it, so it broke down.
Colloquial term for driving someone hard or exploiting their labor. Stronger nuance of unfairness.
To express that someone is being treated coldly, ignored, or given the cold shoulder, often in social or professional settings.
Means cold treatment or neglect, often in a workplace or organizational context. Implies being ignored or not given due respect.
He is being maltreated at his company (given the cold shoulder).
A phrase meaning to treat someone coldly or dismissively. More everyday than 冷遇.
I don't want to go to a shop that maltreats customers by being cold to them.
虐待 (gyakutai) is only for living beings (people, animals). For overworking machines or body parts, use 酷使 (kokushi).
If you maltreat your eyes by overstraining them, your eyesight will deteriorate.
虐待 (gyakutai) is a formal term for abuse, often used in legal or news contexts. 虐め (ijime) is more commonly used for bullying, especially among children. 虐待 implies a stronger power imbalance and more severe harm.
Shops that maltreat their part-timers by overworking them get a bad reputation.