Translation guide
Describes playful, slightly naughty behavior, often in children or pets. Japanese has several words that capture different nuances, from harmless pranks to more troublesome acts.
Describing a child or animal that is full of energy and enjoys harmless tricks or disobedience.
The most common and versatile adjective for 'mischievous'. It implies playful naughtiness without malice.
いたずらな子供が庭で遊んでいる。
A mischievous child is playing in the garden.
Our cat is very mischievous and often climbs the curtains.
Often used for boisterous, unruly children, especially boys. Carries a sense of rough-and-tumble playfulness.
やんちゃな男の子たちが公園で走り回っている。
Mischievous boys are running around in the park.
Describes a charming, cute kind of mischievousness, often used for girls or women. Implies a playful, teasing nature.
彼女はおちゃめな笑顔で冗談を言った。
She told a joke with a mischievous smile.
Describing actions or behavior that are slightly harmful or annoying, like playing tricks on someone.
A noun meaning 'prank' or 'mischief'. Often used in phrases like いたずらをする (to play a prank).
彼はよく友達にいたずらをする。
He often plays pranks on his friends.
A more formal or literary term for mischief or prank. Can also imply malicious intent in some contexts.
Describing a facial expression or smile that suggests playful trickery.
A common phrase for a mischievous smile. いたずらっぽい means 'mischievous-looking'.
彼はいたずらっぽい笑顔で秘密を教えてくれた。
He told me the secret with a mischievous smile.
Refers to a mischievous look in the eyes. 目つき means 'look' or 'expression in the eyes'.
彼女の悪戯っぽい目つきに、何か企んでいるのが分かった。
I could tell from her mischievous look that she was up to something.
いたずらな is the most general and can be used for anyone or anything playful. やんちゃな emphasizes rough, boisterous behavior, typical of young boys. おちゃめな is often used for girls or women and has a cute, charming nuance.
While 悪戯 (いたずら) is a noun, the adjective form 悪戯な is rarely used in modern Japanese. Use いたずらな instead.
The boy was scolded by the teacher for his excessive mischief.