Translation guide
A person who deliberately damages, obstructs, or undermines something, often secretly or from within.
To refer to someone who engages in sabotage, typically in a political, military, or industrial context.
Standard term for a saboteur, especially in espionage or military contexts. Literally 'destruction operative'.
敵の破壊工作員が橋を爆破した。
Enemy saboteurs blew up the bridge.
Descriptive phrase using the loanword サボタージュ (sabotage). More casual and less formal than 破壊工作員.
To describe someone who secretly works against the interests of their own group, often in a non-physical way (e.g., in business, politics, or relationships).
A person who secretly collaborates with an enemy or rival; a mole or informant. Often used for internal saboteurs.
内通者が情報を漏らしていた。
A saboteur was leaking information.
The English word 'saboteur' is often translated directly as サボタージュする人, but this can sound awkward or overly explanatory. In formal or serious contexts, 破壊工作員 is preferred. For internal betrayal, 内通者 or 内部の敵 are more natural.
破壊工作員 is the standard term in news, military, and espionage contexts. サボタージュする人 is a casual, descriptive phrase that may be used in everyday conversation but lacks precision.
They found a saboteur in the factory.
General term for an obstructer or interferer. Can be used for a saboteur in broader contexts, but lacks the specific clandestine nuance.
彼は計画の妨害者として非難された。
He was accused of being a saboteur of the plan.
Literally 'destroyer'. Can imply a saboteur in certain contexts, but is more direct and less specific to covert actions.
その破壊者は組織の内部にいた。
The saboteur was inside the organization.
Literally 'enemy within'. A common phrase for a saboteur or traitor inside an organization.
彼は内部の敵として疑われた。
He was suspected of being a saboteur from within.
Traitor or betrayer. Can be used for a saboteur who betrays their own side, though it emphasizes betrayal over the act of sabotage.
裏切り者が計画を台無しにした。
The saboteur ruined the plan.