Translation guide
The concept of a man having casual sexual relationships with many women, often while in a committed relationship. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific nouns, verbs, and descriptive phrases that carry strong negative connotations.
To describe a man who habitually cheats on his partner or has many casual affairs.
The most common word for cheating or having an affair. It can refer to a single incident or a pattern, and is used for both men and women, though context often implies a man's infidelity.
To refer to a man who habitually engages in philandering.
浮気 (uwaki) is a general term for cheating, often used for unmarried couples or less serious affairs. 不倫 (furin) specifically refers to extramarital affairs and carries a heavier social stigma. Use 浮気 for dating infidelity, 不倫 for married infidelity.
I can't forgive my boyfriend's cheating.
His philandering finally destroyed their marriage.
彼は浮気性だ。
He is a philanderer (lit. has a cheating nature).
My husband's philandering came to light.
Literally 'playing with women'. This specifically refers to a man's philandering or womanizing, emphasizing the playful, irresponsible aspect.
When he was young, he was a heavy philanderer.
Refers to an extramarital affair, often with a stronger sense of social taboo. It implies a more serious, ongoing relationship outside marriage.
He is continuing an extramarital affair.
A literary term for philandering or chasing women, literally 'fishing for sex'. Rarely used in conversation.
He is known as a philanderer.
A person who cheats; a philanderer. Can be used for men or women, but often implies a man.
He's a notorious philanderer.
A womanizer; a man who seduces many women. Slightly more colloquial and vivid than 浮気者.
He's famous for being a womanizer.
Loanword from English 'playboy'. Connotes a wealthy, charming man who dates many women casually.
He was featured in a magazine as a playboy.
A literary term for a philanderer. Very rare in modern speech.
He is called a philanderer.
不倫は社会的に許されない。
Adultery is socially unacceptable.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'philandering'. Using 浮気 or 女遊び is natural, but directly translating the English word as フィランダリング would not be understood.
彼女は彼の浮気にもう我慢できなかった。
She couldn't tolerate his philandering any longer.
They divorced because of his philandering.