Translation guide
The English verb 'seduce' covers a range of meanings from romantic/sexual persuasion to enticing someone into doing something or being captivated by an idea. Japanese has distinct expressions for each nuance, and direct translation is often unnatural.
To persuade someone to have a romantic or sexual relationship, often through charm or allure.
The most direct equivalent, meaning to tempt or entice, often with a sexual connotation. It can be used for both men and women.
He tried to seduce her.
To woo or make romantic advances, often with words. It implies persistent persuasion and is commonly used for men pursuing women.
He seduced her with sweet words.
Slang for 'to trick or sweet-talk someone into a relationship or bed'. It has a manipulative nuance and is often used for a playboy type.
That guy apparently seduced many women.
To persuade someone to do something they might not otherwise do, often by making it seem attractive.
To invite or tempt someone to do something. It can be used for both positive and negative actions, and is the most common verb for 'to entice'.
He seduced me into a life of crime.
Also used for non-sexual temptation, such as tempting someone to break a diet or skip work. It emphasizes the allure of the alternative.
Even though I'm on a diet, I was seduced by the cake.
To make someone feel like doing something, to put them in the mood. It's a more indirect way of saying 'seduce into doing'.
To be strongly attracted or fascinated by an idea, object, or quality, often in a way that overrides reason.
To be fascinated or captivated. This is the passive form and is used when the subject is the one being seduced by a non-human thing.
I was seduced by the beautiful scenery.
To be led astray or beguiled. It implies being deceived or confused by something attractive, often with a negative connotation.
Don't be seduced by sweet words.
Using 誘惑する for 'seduced by an idea' can sound overly sexual or manipulative. Use 魅了される or 心を奪われる for being charmed by something abstract or beautiful.
誘惑する is broader and can be used for any kind of temptation, while 口説く specifically refers to romantic persuasion through words. 口説く is often used for men pursuing women.
His enthusiastic persuasion seduced me into it.
To have one's heart stolen; to be completely captivated. It's a more poetic expression.
He was seduced by the painting.