Translation guide
A person who switches allegiance from one side to another, especially in politics or conflict. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns describing betrayal or changing sides, and related verbs.
The learner wants to refer to someone who has switched sides, often with a negative connotation.
The learner wants to describe the action of becoming a turncoat, rather than the person.
裏切り者 is the general term for a betrayer and can be used in any context of broken trust. 寝返り者 specifically implies switching to the opposing side, often in a conflict or competition. Use 寝返り者 when the act of changing allegiance is central.
彼は裏切り者だ。信頼していたのに。
He is a turncoat. I trusted him.
あの寝返り者のせいで作戦が漏れた。
Because of that turncoat, the plan was leaked.
Do not attempt to translate 'turncoat' literally as 'コートを裏返す' or similar. The English idiom does not carry over. Use the provided Japanese terms for betrayal or changing sides.
The most common and direct translation. Literally 'betrayer', it carries a strong negative connotation and is used for anyone who betrays trust or switches allegiance.
彼は裏切り者だ。
He is a turncoat.
裏切り者は許さない。
I won't forgive a turncoat.
Specifically refers to someone who switches sides, often in a conflict or competition. '寝返る' means to change sides or betray. Slightly less common than 裏切り者 but very precise.
戦の最中に寝返り者が出た。
A turncoat appeared in the middle of the battle.
A literary or formal term for someone who changes their principles or allegiance. '変節' means change of principle, and '漢' is a somewhat old-fashioned suffix for man. Rare in everyday speech.
彼は変節漢として歴史に名を残した。
He went down in history as a turncoat.
The most common verb for switching sides or betraying one's group. Can be used in political, military, or even business contexts.
彼は敵側に寝返った。
He turned coat and went over to the enemy.
選挙の直前に、その議員は野党に寝返った。
Just before the election, the lawmaker turned coat and joined the opposition party.
General verb for betrayal. While broader than 'turncoat', it is often used when someone betrays their group's trust by switching allegiance.
仲間を裏切って、彼は秘密を漏らした。
He turned coat and leaked the secrets.
Literally 'to change saddles', this idiomatic phrase means to switch sides or change one's affiliation, often for opportunistic reasons. Commonly used in politics or business.
彼はより有利な条件を求めて鞍替えした。
He turned coat in search of better terms.