Translation guide
In English, "the fellow" is a somewhat old-fashioned or literary way to refer to a man or boy, often with a nuance of familiarity, mild affection, or condescension. In Japanese, there is no direct equivalent; the best choice depends on the relationship, formality, and the speaker's attitude. Common strategies include using a name/title, a demonstrative like あの人, or informal terms like やつ. Direct translation is rarely natural.
The speaker wants to point out or talk about a man, often someone known to both speaker and listener, without strong emotion.
Literally 'that person', this is the most neutral and safe way to refer to a man you can see or have mentioned. It carries no particular nuance of 'fellow' but works in most contexts.
あの人は誰ですか。
Who is that fellow?
あの人、なかなか面白いね。
That fellow is quite interesting, isn't he?
Polite version of あの人. Use when you want to show respect, e.g., for a customer or superior. Sounds more formal.
あの方はどなたですか。
Who is that gentleman?
If you know the person's name or role, using it is more natural than a vague 'fellow'. For example, 田中さん (Tanaka-san), 先生 (sensei), or あの男性 (ano dansei, that gentleman).
田中さん、ちょっと来てください。
Tanaka, come here a moment. (fellow Tanaka)
あの男性に聞いてみよう。
Let's ask that fellow (gentleman).
The speaker feels close to the person, or looks down on them, or is speaking very informally among friends. 'Fellow' here is like 'guy' or 'chap'.
Very casual and can be rude if used about someone you should respect. Among close male friends, it's like 'that guy'. Use with caution.
Can sound insulting if used about a superior or stranger. Avoid in polite conversation.
あいつ、また遅刻かよ。
That fellow is late again.
あいつはいいやつだ。
He's a good fellow.
Similar to あいつ but can be used with demonstratives: このやつ (this fellow), そのやつ (that fellow). Rough and masculine.
Means 'he' or 'boyfriend'. Can be used like 'that fellow' in a neutral way, but it's a pronoun, so context must make the referent clear.
彼はなかなかの人物だ。
He's quite a fellow.
The speaker wants to evoke a classic, story-telling tone, like 'the fellow' in old novels.
Simply 'man'. In literary contexts, it can carry the flavor of 'fellow'.
その男は黙って去った。
The fellow left without a word.
Kanji form of やつ, often used in writing to mean 'fellow' or 'guy', sometimes with a derogatory nuance.
妙な奴が現れた。
A strange fellow appeared.
The speaker feels sorry for the man.
An interjection meaning 'poor thing'. Not a direct translation of 'fellow', but captures the sentiment when combined with context.
彼は財布を落としたんだ。かわいそうに。
He lost his wallet, poor fellow.
Literally 'a pitiable person'. Can be used to refer to a 'poor fellow'.
彼は気の毒な人だ。
He's a poor fellow.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches the English 'fellow'. Using a dictionary gloss like 男 or やつ without understanding the nuance can sound unnatural or rude. Always consider the relationship and context.
あの男は誰ですか。
Who is that fellow? (can sound blunt)
あいつ is the most common casual term for 'that guy', often used among friends or when annoyed. やつ is similar but can be combined with この/その/あの and is slightly rougher. 彼 is the standard pronoun 'he', neutral but less colorful than 'fellow'.
In Japanese, it's more natural to use a person's name with an appropriate suffix (-さん, -くん, etc.) than to use a vague term like 'that fellow'. If you know the name, use it.
Let me see that fellow (thing/person).