Translation guide
The English word 'slave' can refer to a person owned by another, someone completely controlled by something, or a device that follows another. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
To refer to a person who is the legal property of another and forced to work.
The standard word for a slave in historical or literal contexts. Neutral and widely understood.
彼は奴隷として売られた。
He was sold as a slave.
古代ローマでは多くの奴隷が働いていた。
Many slaves worked in ancient Rome.
A more literary or archaic term for slave, often used in historical or fantasy contexts. Can sound old-fashioned.
彼は王の奴として仕えた。
He served as the king's slave.
To describe someone who is metaphorically enslaved by something like drugs, work, or technology.
Used metaphorically to mean 'a slave to something'. Attach the controlling thing before の.
彼は酒の奴隷だ。
He is a slave to alcohol.
スマホの奴隷になっていませんか？
Aren't you becoming a slave to your smartphone?
Literally 'controlled by ~', this is a softer way to express being enslaved by something. More common in explanatory contexts.
彼は欲望に支配されている。
He is a slave to his desires.
In technology, a slave device is controlled by a master device.
The direct loanword from English, used in technical contexts like electronics and computing.
このハードディスクはスレーブとして設定されています。
This hard disk is configured as a slave.
A more formal Japanese term meaning 'subordinate device'. Used in engineering documents.
従属装置がマスターに同期する。
The slave device synchronizes with the master.
The English phrase 'slave driver' (a harsh boss) does not translate directly. Use 厳しい上司 (きびしいじょうし, strict boss) or 鬼上司 (おにじょうし, demon boss) instead.
奴隷 (どれい) is the standard term for both historical and metaphorical slavery. For modern human trafficking contexts, 奴隷 is still used, but terms like 人身売買 (じんしんばいばい, human trafficking) are more specific.