Translation guide
The English word 'shit' has multiple meanings ranging from vulgar slang for feces to casual expressions of frustration, surprise, or emphasis. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each use, with strong warnings about register and politeness.
The literal meaning: solid waste from the body, used in a crude or vulgar way.
The most direct vulgar equivalent. Extremely crude; not used in polite conversation.
I stepped in dog shit.
More technical or literary term for feces, often used in compounds. Less vulgar than クソ but still direct.
Childish or informal word for poop. Not as vulgar as 'shit', more like 'poop'.
Formal/medical term for feces. Not vulgar, used in clinical contexts.
Used as an interjection to express strong negative emotions like anger, annoyance, or shock.
Direct equivalent of 'shit!' as an exclamation. Very vulgar and masculine-sounding.
Describing something as bad, useless, or of low quality.
Used as a prefix or standalone to mean 'shitty' or 'crappy'. Extremely vulgar.
Calling out bullshit, lies, or meaningless talk.
Means 'nonsense' or 'bullshit'. Common and not particularly vulgar.
Casually referring to objects, belongings, or abstract things, similar to 'stuff' or 'shit'.
Informal word for 'thing' or 'stuff'. Can be rude if referring to people.
The act of shitting.
Literally 'to do a shit'. Vulgar.
The dog shit on the street.
Expressions like 'to give someone shit' meaning to hassle or mistreat.
Means 'to bully' or 'to pick on'. Covers 'giving someone shit' in the sense of harassment.
Phrases like 'to scare the shit out of someone'.
The word クソ is extremely vulgar and should be avoided in any polite or formal context. It is much stronger than many English speakers realize. Using it can be highly offensive, especially to strangers or superiors. In many situations, milder alternatives like しまった or ひどい are safer choices.
Shit!
クソ is vulgar 'shit', うんこ is childish 'poop', and 大便 is formal 'feces/stool'. Choose based on context: クソ for crude slang among friends, うんこ for talking to children or informal light conversation, 大便 for medical or formal situations.
やつ is a very handy casual word for 'thing' or 'stuff', but be careful: when used to refer to a person, it can sound derogatory. For people, use 人 (ひと) or 方 (かた) instead.
This is good shit! (slang for something excellent)
Bird shit fell on the car.
The kid had a shit accident.
大便の検査をします。
We'll do a stool test.
Shit! I lost again.
Literally 'damn it' or 'beast', a common exclamation of frustration. Less vulgar than クソ, but still strong.
Shit! I forgot my wallet.
Means 'I messed up' or 'oh no'. A mild exclamation of regret, not vulgar.
Shit! I missed the train.
Slang for 'oh crap' or 'oh no', can express both positive and negative surprise. Very common among young people.
Shit! I haven't studied for the test.
This shitty game is boring.
Means 'the worst' or 'terrible'. Not vulgar, but strong.
That movie was shit.
Means 'terrible' or 'awful'. Common and not vulgar.
Shitty weather, huh.
That's bullshit.
Literally 'lie'. Can be used to call out something as untrue, like 'bullshit'.
Bullshit! (You liar!)
Means 'nonsense' or 'worthless talk'. Mild and common.
That's a load of shit.
Can be used as 'bullshit' in very vulgar contexts, often as クソくらえ (eat shit).
Eat shit! / Fuck you!
Pass me that shit.
Neutral word for 'thing' or 'stuff'. Not vulgar.
I don't need this shit.
Used for abstract things or matters. 'That shit' as in 'that stuff (situation/event)'.
Don't worry about that shit.
Childish/informal 'to poop'. Not as vulgar.
I'm gonna take a shit. (informal, not vulgar)
My boss gave me shit.
Means 'to complain' or 'to give someone a hard time verbally'.
He's always giving me shit.
Idiom meaning 'to be paralyzed with fear', similar to 'scared shitless'.
That sound scared the shit out of me.
Slang for 'to be freaked out' or 'scared shitless'.
I was scared shitless in the haunted house.
Uses めっちゃ (very) for emphasis. No direct vulgar equivalent.