Translation guide
How to express 'telling a lie' in Japanese, from casual to formal, including common phrases and warnings about literal translations.
He often tells lies.
You must not tell lies.
Also means 'tell a lie', but slightly less common than 嘘をつく. Can sound a bit more direct or childish.
Don't tell lies.
Informal ways to say someone is lying or to call out a lie.
Noun meaning 'liar'. Often used to accuse someone of lying, like 'You liar!'.
Liar!
Exclamation meaning 'That's a lie!' or 'No way!'. Used to express disbelief.
What? That's a lie!
Slang for 'a complete lie' or 'total BS'. Stronger and more emphatic than 嘘.
Expressions suitable for formal situations, such as business or official statements.
Expressions for harmless or social lies, like 'white lie'.
Expressions for major lies, fraud, or deception.
English uses 'tell a lie', but Japanese uses 嘘をつく (literally 'to attach a lie'). Avoid literal translations like 嘘を話す or 嘘を伝える, which sound unnatural.
tell a lie
嘘をつく is the most common and natural. 嘘を言う is also correct but can sound slightly more direct or childish. In most situations, 嘘をつく is preferred.
それ、嘘っぱちだよ。
That's a total lie.
His words were falsehoods.