Translation guide
The concept of obscenity in Japanese is expressed through words for lewdness, vulgarity, and indecency, with important distinctions between legal, social, and casual contexts.
obscenity (general/legal)
obscene language
To refer to something that is obscene, indecent, or offensive to public morals, often in a legal or formal sense.
The standard term for obscenity, used in legal contexts and everyday language. Covers indecent acts, materials, and speech.
Sending obscene images is a crime.
Similar to わいせつ but often implies vulgarity or lewdness, sometimes with a stronger moral judgment. Common in describing speech or behavior.
Kanji form of わいせつ, used in legal documents or formal writing. The meaning is identical.
To describe something sexually explicit, lewd, or perverted in a more casual or colloquial way.
Abbreviation of 'erotic'. Very common in casual speech for anything sexually suggestive or pornographic. Can be used as a noun or adjective.
To refer to swear words, dirty talk, or vulgar expressions.
Literally 'vulgar words'. A general term for obscene or crude language.
To refer to a specific obscene gesture or physical act.
Standard phrase for an obscene act, often used in legal or formal descriptions.
The English word 'obscenity' is broad. In Japanese, the most direct equivalent is わいせつ, but it is often used in legal or formal contexts. For casual talk about lewdness, use エロ or いやらしい. For swear words, use 下品な言葉 or 汚い言葉.
Both mean obscene or indecent, but わいせつ is the standard legal term, while 卑わい carries a stronger nuance of vulgarity and moral repugnance. 卑わい is less common in everyday speech.
He was arrested for displaying obscene materials.
彼の卑わいな冗談にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his obscene jokes.
猥褻物陳列罪で起訴された。
He was indicted for displaying obscene materials.
あの映画はちょっとエロすぎる。
That movie is a bit too obscene/erotic.
He's hiding porn magazines.
An adjective meaning lewd, suggestive, or disgusting in a sexual way. Often used for behavior, looks, or jokes.
Don't look at me with those lewd eyes.
Slang for lecherous, perverted, or horny. Often used to describe a person or their actions. Can be a noun or adjective.
He's such a pervert.
Kanji form of スケベ, slightly more old-fashioned or dialectal. Same meaning.
That lecherous old man!
Please don't use such obscene language.
A more formal term for vulgar or obscene words, often used in dictionaries or linguistic contexts.
This dictionary also includes obscene words.
Literally 'dirty words'. A common, slightly less formal way to refer to obscene language.
I feel sick when I hear obscene language.
Obscene acts in public are prohibited.
A lewd gesture or suggestive movement, used in casual contexts.
She seduced him with lewd gestures.