Translation guide
A scoundrel is a dishonest or unscrupulous person. In Japanese, the best word depends on the flavor: a charming rogue, a petty crook, a villain, or a contemptible person. This guide covers common terms from playful to serious.
A mischievous but likable person, often male, who bends rules but isn't truly evil.
Literally 'bad guy', but often used in fiction for a charming villain or rogue. Can be playful.
彼は映画の中で魅力的な悪党を演じた。
He played a charming scoundrel in the movie.
A rogue, ruffian, or good-for-nothing. Often implies a drifter or petty criminal, but can be used affectionately.
あのならず者には困ったものだ。
That scoundrel is a handful.
A literary or old-fashioned term for a villain or scoundrel, often in period pieces.
時代劇では悪漢がよく登場する。
Scoundrels often appear in period dramas.
Someone who lies, cheats, or acts without morals, often for personal gain.
A bad person, villain. General term for someone morally corrupt.
彼は見かけによらず悪人だ。
He's a scoundrel despite his appearance.
A heinous villain, an utter scoundrel. Stronger than 悪人.
A bad guy, often used in stories or to label someone as the villain.
A scoundrel, lawless person. Formal and somewhat dated, used in official contexts.
A small-time criminal, swindler, or con artist.
A swindler, con man. Specifically someone who commits fraud.
彼は詐欺師だと分かった。
I found out he was a scoundrel (swindler).
A swindler, trickster. Similar to 詐欺師 but more colloquial and old-fashioned.
Also used for petty criminals, especially in fiction.
A person you despise for their actions, often used as an insult.
A vulgar, base person; a scoundrel. Strong insult implying low character.
あんな下種とは関わりたくない。
I don't want anything to do with that scoundrel.
A heretic, scoundrel, someone who has strayed from the righteous path. Strong moral condemnation.
A brute, inhuman person. Literally 'not a person', used for someone heartless.
Slang for 'scum' or 'trash', used for a worthless person. Very derogatory.
あいつは本当にクズだ。
That guy is a total scoundrel.
悪党 (akutō) often has a roguish, charming nuance, common in fiction. 悪人 (akunin) is a straightforward 'bad person', more serious. 悪者 (warumono) is the generic 'bad guy', often used in children's stories or to label someone as the antagonist.
English 'scoundrel' can sound old-fashioned or playful. In Japanese, words like 悪漢 (akkan) or 不届き者 (futodokimono) are very literary/formal and rarely used in daily conversation. For casual insults, 下種 (gesu) or クズ (kuzu) are common but harsh.
Most terms for scoundrel are gender-neutral but often imply a male referent in practice. For a female scoundrel, you can still use these words, but context will clarify. 悪女 (akujo) specifically means 'wicked woman'.
その極悪人は多くの人を騙した。
That scoundrel deceived many people.
子供たちは悪者をやっつけるごっこ遊びをした。
The children played at defeating the scoundrel.
Scoundrels will face severe punishment.
あのペテン師に気をつけろ。
Watch out for that scoundrel.
悪党どもが金を奪った。
The scoundrels stole the money.
His actions are those of a scoundrel.
人でなしの所業だ。
That's the deed of a scoundrel.