Translation guide
The state of being naked or unclothed. In Japanese, expressions range from neutral descriptions to slang, with important distinctions between being bare, naked, or partially undressed.
Describing the state of being completely unclothed in a neutral or factual way.
The most common and neutral word for nudity or being naked. Can be used for people or metaphorically.
He ran naked.
The Emperor's New Clothes (lit. 'the naked king')
Emphasizes complete nudity, often used in formal or descriptive contexts.
Some people sleep completely naked.
Colloquial and emphatic, like 'stark naked'. Often used in casual speech.
The kids were playing in the river stark naked.
Describing a state of being partially clothed or exposing certain body parts.
Half-naked, typically meaning the upper or lower body is exposed.
He went out into the yard half-naked.
Practically naked; wearing so little that one might as well be nude.
That swimsuit is practically naked.
Naked from the waist up; topless (for any gender).
Referring to nudity as a subject in art, film, or public discussion, often with a formal or euphemistic tone.
Loanword from English, used for artistic or photographic nudity, or as a euphemism.
This movie has nude scenes.
Formal term for a naked body, often used in art or medical contexts.
Exposure; often used in legal or media contexts regarding indecent exposure or revealing clothing.
Using nudity to express vulnerability, honesty, or lack of resources.
While 'ヌード' is common for artistic nudity, using it to describe everyday nakedness can sound unnatural. Use '裸' (hadaka) instead.
You get naked when you take a bath.
裸 (hadaka) is the native Japanese word for nakedness and is used in everyday situations. ヌード (nūdo) is a loanword typically reserved for artistic, photographic, or euphemistic contexts. Using ヌード to describe a person simply being naked can sound like you're referring to a nude model or photo shoot.
A man was walking around shirtless.
その絵は裸体を描いている。
The painting depicts a nude figure.
公然わいせつ罪は露出行為を含む。
Public indecency laws include acts of exposure.
Let's talk with our hearts laid bare.