Translation guide
Describes actions or people that are secretive, underhanded, or done in a way that avoids being noticed, often with a negative connotation.
Describing a person or action that is dishonest, cunning, and not straightforward.
He passed the exam in a sneaky way.
That's sneaky! So unfair!
A more formal or literary term for 'cunning' or 'sly'. Often used in writing or to describe a crafty scheme.
He swindled money through a sneaky scheme.
Describes sneaky, furtive behavior, like doing something secretly or behind someone's back. Often implies guilt or shame.
His sneaky behavior is suspicious.
Describing an action done quietly or secretly to avoid detection, without necessarily implying dishonesty.
An adverb meaning 'secretly' or 'stealthily'. Used for actions done without others noticing, like sneaking a snack or leaving quietly.
He sneaked out of the room.
Literally 'with stealthy steps', used for moving quietly like a ninja. More physical and deliberate than こっそり.
I approached with sneaky steps.
Informal ways to call someone sneaky or a sneak.
ずるい focuses on unfairness or cunning, often with moral judgment. こそこそした describes furtive, guilty-looking behavior. こっそり is a neutral adverb for doing something secretly without negative implications.
Don't do sneaky (unfair) things.
Stop being sneaky and be upfront.
I secretly left a present.
I sneaked a snack.
彼はコソ泥みたいに人のアイデアを盗む。
He steals people's ideas like a sneak thief.