Translation guide
A playful, flirtatious, or impudent young woman. The Japanese equivalent depends heavily on the nuance: from light teasing to outright promiscuity.
A young woman who is mischievous or teasing in a lighthearted, often flirtatious way.
Literally 'little devil'. Describes a cute, playful girl who teases or manipulates in a charming, non-malicious way. Very common in modern Japanese.
A woman who uses her charm or sexuality to attract or manipulate, often with a negative connotation.
An old-fashioned sense of a bold, impertinent girl, often used in historical or literary contexts.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'minx' in all contexts. Choose based on the specific nuance: playful teasing (小悪魔), sexual looseness (浮気女, あばずれ), or cheeky impudence (おてんば娘, 小娘). Using the wrong term can cause serious misunderstanding.
小悪魔 (koakuma) is often used in a light, even affectionate way for a cute girl who teases. あばずれ (abazure) is a harsh insult implying promiscuity. Do not confuse them.
彼女はクラスの小悪魔的存在だ。
She's the class minx.
Tomboyish, lively girl; more about energetic mischief than flirtation. Can be used for a minx-like girl if the focus is on cheeky behavior.
あの子は昔からおてんば娘で、よく男の子をからかっている。
That girl has been a minx since she was little, always teasing the boys.
Literally 'restive horse girl'. Refers to a wild, unruly young woman. Can imply a minx-like rebelliousness, but less flirtatious.
彼女はじゃじゃ馬娘で、誰にも手がつけられない。
She's a real minx, impossible to control.
A woman who is unfaithful or plays around. Strongly negative; implies cheating or loose morals.
彼は浮気女に引っかかった。
He got caught by a minx.
A shameless, promiscuous woman; a hussy. Very derogatory. Use with caution.
Strongly derogatory; avoid in polite conversation.
あの女はあばずれだ。
That woman is a minx.
A woman who seduces or manipulates men; a femme fatale type. Less vulgar than あばずれ but still negative.
彼女は男たらしで有名だ。
She's known as a minx who leads men on.
A derogatory term for a young, inexperienced girl who acts above her station. Can carry the 'minx' nuance in period pieces.
小娘のくせに生意気だ。
What a minx, so impertinent for a mere girl.