Translation guide
Satire uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock people, ideas, or society. Japanese has several words for satire, ranging from direct criticism to parody.
To refer to satire as a genre or work that uses wit to expose folly or vice.
The most common and direct translation for satire. Used for literary, artistic, or political satire.
This novel has biting social satire.
His comics are known for political satire.
An alternative kanji for 風刺, often used in literary contexts. Same meaning and reading.
This work contains sharp satire.
To describe a specific piece of satire, often humorous and exaggerated.
To express satire through a witty, ironic, or sarcastic comment.
Sarcasm or irony; often used for remarks that are satirical in tone. Can be used for a satirical comment.
His sarcastic comment lightened the meeting.
The article is written with heavy irony.
A loanword for 'irony', used in literary or academic contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
To refer to a comedic performance that satirizes something.
風刺 (satire) is a broader concept of using humor to criticize society or politics. 皮肉 (sarcasm/irony) is a tone or remark that says the opposite of what is meant, often used within satire. A satirical work may contain 皮肉, but 皮肉 alone is not necessarily satire.
This satirical cartoon has biting sarcasm.
While パロディー can be satirical, it specifically imitates a style or work for comic effect. Satire (風刺) has a critical purpose. Use 風刺 for works that aim to expose flaws, not just imitate.
That's just a parody, not satire.
This satirical work criticizes the government.
この小説にはアイロニーが多用されている。
This novel makes extensive use of irony.
I saw a skit on a comedy show that satirized politics.