Translation guide
The psychological manipulation of people to divulge confidential information or perform actions, often in a security context. This guide covers how to express this concept in Japanese, from technical terms to everyday explanations.
The use of deception to manipulate individuals into divulging confidential or personal information that may be used for fraudulent purposes.
The direct loanword from English, widely understood in IT and security fields. This is the standard technical term.
ソーシャルエンジニアリングは、技術的なハッキングよりも人間の心理を突く攻撃です。
Social engineering is an attack that exploits human psychology rather than technical hacking.
A more literal translation meaning 'social manipulation'. Used in academic or formal writing, but less common in everyday IT contexts.
この攻撃は社会的操作の一種です。
This attack is a form of social engineering.
A less common term blending 'social' and 'hacking'. Sometimes used in media, but not standard.
ソーシャルハッキングの手口が巧妙化している。
Social hacking techniques are becoming more sophisticated.
The act of manipulating people to achieve a desired outcome, not necessarily related to computers or security.
Literally 'manipulation of people's hearts/minds'. A general term for psychological manipulation, often used in contexts like politics, marketing, or cults.
彼は人心操作に長けている。
He is skilled at social engineering.
Means 'psychological manipulation'. Similar to 人心操作 but slightly more clinical. Used in psychology and sociology.
その広告は心理操作のテクニックを使っている。
That advertisement uses social engineering techniques.
A colloquial phrase meaning 'to manipulate people'. Not a direct translation but conveys the idea in everyday speech.
彼女は人を操るのがうまい。
She's good at social engineering.
The planned management of social change and development in society, often by governments or large organizations.
The direct translation used in academic and policy contexts. Refers to the application of sociological principles to solve social problems.
社会工学の観点から都市計画を見直す必要がある。
We need to review urban planning from a social engineering perspective.
The English term 'social engineering' spans multiple domains. In Japanese, the appropriate translation depends heavily on context. Using ソーシャルエンジニアリング in a sociology paper would be incorrect; use 社会工学 instead. Conversely, in IT security, 社会工学 would be misunderstood.
ITセキュリティでは「ソーシャルエンジニアリング」が一般的です。
In IT security, 'social engineering' (the loanword) is common.