Translation guide
Describes a person who is rejected or excluded from a group or society. Japanese expressions range from formal terms for social outcasts to casual words for loners or misfits.
A person rejected by society or a community, often due to stigma or taboo.
Common word for someone excluded from a group, like being left out of social circles.
He is treated as an outcast in class.
Historical term for ostracism from a village community; now used metaphorically for complete social exclusion.
He was ostracized by the village.
Formal term for a social outcast or exile.
He lives as a social outcast.
A person who doesn't fit in or prefers to be alone, often by choice or personality.
Literally 'lone wolf'; describes someone who acts independently and doesn't belong to a group.
He's a lone wolf and doesn't rely on anyone.
Someone who doesn't fit into the mainstream; a misfit or nonconformist.
He was a misfit at school.
Literally 'heretic child'; a maverick or unconventional person, often in a positive sense.
Someone forced to leave their home or country.
A member of a historically discriminated group in Japan.
Refers to people from buraku communities, historically discriminated against. Use with extreme caution due to sensitivity.
This term is highly sensitive and can be discriminatory. Avoid unless discussing historical context.
He hid the fact that he was from a buraku background.
Edo-period term for outcastes; now considered derogatory and obsolete.
Derogatory and offensive. Only for historical reference.
When describing someone simply left out of a group, のけ者 is natural. Using heavier terms like 追放者 would sound overly dramatic.
のけ者 implies being excluded by others, while 一匹狼 suggests a voluntary loner. Choose based on whether the exclusion is imposed or self-chosen.
彼は業界の異端児と呼ばれている。
He is called a maverick in the industry.
They wandered from place to place as exiles.
The eta class was abolished in the Meiji period.