Translation guide
The English word 'sadism' refers to deriving pleasure from inflicting pain or humiliation. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is the loanword サディズム, often shortened to サド. It is widely understood in everyday conversation, especially in the context of personality types or relationship dynamics. More formal or clinical terms exist but are less common.
Describing someone who enjoys causing pain or humiliation, often in a non-clinical, everyday sense.
The direct loanword for 'sadism'. Used in both casual and formal contexts, but slightly more formal than the abbreviation サド.
He has sadistic tendencies.
Common abbreviation of サディズム. Very frequent in everyday speech when describing personality types, often paired with マゾ (masochism).
That person is a bit of a sadist, isn't he?
Literally 'taste for inflicting harm'. A more descriptive, slightly formal term. Not as common as サド or サディズム in everyday speech.
His sadistic tendencies baffled those around him.
Referring to sadism as a psychological condition or in a medical context.
Referring to a person who is a sadist.
In casual Japanese, サド (sadist/sadism) and マゾ (masochist/masochism) are frequently used as adjectives or nouns to describe personality types. For example, サドな人 (a sadistic person) or マゾっぽい (masochistic-seeming). These are not necessarily clinical and are often used lightheartedly.
Direct translations like 残酷趣味 (cruelty hobby) are not standard and may sound unnatural. Stick to the loanwords サディズム/サド or the more formal 加虐趣味 when needed.
A technical term for 'sadism' in the context of sexual paraphilia. Rarely used outside specialized literature.
Sadism is considered a type of sexual perversion.
The sadist enjoys the victim's pain.