Translation guide
Describes a person, object, or situation that appears untrustworthy, questionable, or potentially dangerous. Japanese offers several adjectives and phrases that capture different nuances of suspicion based on appearance.
He looks suspicious.
That email seems suspicious.
To say that someone's appearance or demeanor makes them seem suspicious, possibly involved in something dishonest or criminal.
The most common and versatile word for 'suspicious-looking'. Can describe people, objects, or situations. Often implies a gut feeling that something is off.
That person looks kind of suspicious.
Literally 'suspicious behavior', used to describe someone acting nervously or furtively, as if they are up to something. Often used in police or security contexts.
To express that something (like a package, a deal, or a situation) appears suspicious or potentially dangerous.
To convey that a location gives off a suspicious or unsettling vibe, possibly due to darkness, isolation, or strange activity.
怪しい is the most general and can be used for people, things, and situations. 胡散臭い (or うさんくさい) is more colloquial and implies a stronger sense of distrust, often used for people or deals. 不審 is more formal and often appears in official contexts like police reports or warnings.
suspicious-looking person (general)
A suspicious-looking man is loitering in front of the house.
Stronger than 怪しい, implies a person or thing seems fishy, shady, or not to be trusted. Often used for people who give off a dishonest vibe.
That salesman looks really shady.
Suggests something is dubious, questionable, or possibly indecent. Often used for businesses, offers, or people involved in shady dealings.
A street lined with suspicious-looking shops.
A person acting suspiciously was reported.
Again the go-to word. Works for objects, emails, offers, etc. that seem suspicious.
That email looks suspicious, so you shouldn't open it.
A suspicious-looking package was left at the station.
More formal than 怪しい, often used in official warnings or reports. Means 'suspicious' or 'questionable'.
If you find a suspicious object, please contact the police.
Casual, implies something is fishy or shady. Often used for deals, offers, or situations that seem too good to be true.
That story sounds a bit fishy.
Can describe a place that feels suspicious or eerie. Context will clarify whether it's about danger or supernatural unease.
The park at night has a kind of suspicious atmosphere.
Means 'eerie' or 'uncanny'. Focuses more on a creepy, unsettling feeling rather than criminal suspicion.
That ruin is eerie and no one goes near it.
胡散臭いセールスマン
shady salesman (strong distrust)
suspicious package (formal/official)
Do not directly translate 'suspicious-looking' as 疑わしい見た目 (utagawashii mita me). While grammatically possible, it sounds unnatural. Use the adjectives above instead.
suspicious-looking (literal, unnatural)