Translation guide
How to express 'snitch' in Japanese, covering the act of informing on someone, the person who does it, and related slang.
The act of telling an authority figure about someone's wrongdoing, often with a negative connotation.
Neutral/formal term for informing on someone, often to authorities. Can be used in serious contexts like crime reporting.
彼は警察に密告した。
He snitched to the police.
Referring to someone who informs on others, often used as a derogatory label.
Formal term for an informant or whistleblower. Neutral but can be negative depending on context.
彼は密告者として知られている。
He's known as a snitch.
Using 'snitch' to mean stealing something, often sneakily.
General verb for 'to steal'. Not slang, but the closest equivalent for the meaning.
Directly translating 'snitch' as スニッチ is not common and may not be understood. Use チクる or 密告する for the verb, and チクリ魔 or 密告者 for the noun, depending on formality.
チクる is casual and often used among friends or children, carrying a tattletale nuance. 密告する is formal and used for serious informing, like reporting a crime. Choose based on context.
Very common casual/slang verb for snitching, especially among kids or in informal settings. Carries a negative, tattletale nuance.
先生にチクるなよ。
Don't snitch to the teacher.
あいつ、チクったんだ。
That guy snitched.
To tattle or tell on someone, often used for minor misdeeds. Common in school or workplace contexts.
彼女は上司に告げ口した。
She snitched to the boss.
Means 'to betray'. Can be used when someone breaks trust by informing on others, though it's broader than just snitching.
仲間を裏切って警察に話した。
He betrayed his friends and talked to the police.
To tip off or inform on someone, often anonymously. Used in crime/police contexts.
匿名で警察に垂れ込んだ。
He snitched to the police anonymously.
Slang for a habitual snitch or tattletale, often used by children. '-魔' adds a sense of being a 'demon' for that trait.
あの子はチクリ魔だ。
That kid is a snitch.
A tattletale, literally 'tell-tale shop'. Casual and somewhat childish.
告げ口屋は嫌われる。
Snitches are disliked.
Loanword from English, used in subcultures familiar with hip-hop or prison slang. Not widely understood.
あいつはスニッチだ。
He's a snitch.
誰かが私の財布を盗んだ。
Someone snitched my wallet.
Slang for stealing or swiping something. Casual and commonly used.
あいつ、俺のアイデアをパクった。
He snitched my idea.