Translation guide
The English word 'scapegoat' refers to a person or group blamed for the wrongdoings or failures of others. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific nouns, verbs, and idiomatic phrases, often with nuances of sacrifice, false accusation, or shifting blame.
Referring to someone who is made to take the blame, often unfairly, for mistakes or problems caused by others.
Literally 'sacrifice', this word is commonly used metaphorically to mean scapegoat, especially when someone is sacrificed for the benefit of a group or to appease others.
彼は会社の不祥事の生贄にされた。
He was made the scapegoat for the company's scandal.
Direct loanword from English, understood by many Japanese speakers, especially in contexts discussing social psychology or Western concepts. Less common in everyday speech.
彼はチームの失敗のスケープゴートにされた。
He was made the scapegoat for the team's failure.
Means 'substitute' or 'stand-in'. Can be used when someone takes the blame in place of another, though it doesn't always carry the negative connotation of unfairness.
彼は上司の身代わりになって罪を被った。
He took the blame as a scapegoat for his boss.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who has responsibility pushed onto them'. Useful when explaining the concept clearly.
彼はいつも責任を押し付けられる人だ。
He's always the scapegoat.
Describing the action of blaming an innocent person or group to deflect responsibility.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to pin the blame on someone'. Very common and natural way to express scapegoating as an action.
彼らは失敗の罪を彼になすりつけた。
They made him the scapegoat for the failure.
Formal phrase meaning 'to shift responsibility onto someone'. Often used in business or political contexts.
経営陣は責任を従業員に転嫁した。
The management scapegoated the employees.
Verb phrase meaning 'to make someone a sacrifice/scapegoat'. Directly related to the noun 生贄.
上司は彼を生贄にして自分は助かった。
The boss made him a scapegoat and saved himself.
Referring to the phenomenon where a group is collectively blamed for societal problems.
The loanword is often used in academic or analytical discussions about scapegoating as a social mechanism.
歴史的に、少数派はしばしばスケープゴートにされてきた。
Historically, minorities have often been made scapegoats.
Means 'victim', but can be used in contexts where someone is a scapegoat, especially when they suffer consequences.
生贄 (いけにえ) is the most natural and common word for scapegoat in everyday Japanese, carrying a strong nuance of sacrifice. スケープゴート is a direct loanword and is understood, but it can sound academic or foreign. Use 生贄 for most situations.
日常会話では「生贄」の方が自然です。
In everyday conversation, 'ikenie' is more natural.
Do not try to translate 'scapegoat' literally as '逃げ山羊' (にげやぎ) or similar. This is not a recognized term and will cause confusion.
「逃げ山羊」とは言いません。
We don't say 'nigeyagi'.
The scapegoats of that policy are always the vulnerable.