Translation guide
Describes a person or action without weapons. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific adjectives, verbs, or set phrases depending on whether you mean 'weaponless', 'bare-handed', or 'unarmed combat'.
To say someone is not carrying or using weapons.
The most direct and neutral way to say 'unarmed', literally 'not carrying a weapon'. Suitable for most contexts.
彼は武器を持っていなかった。
He was unarmed.
The police announced that the suspect was unarmed.
Means 'unarmed' or 'demilitarized', often used in formal, political, or military contexts (e.g., unarmed civilians, unarmed zone).
非武装の民間人が攻撃された。
Unarmed civilians were attacked.
Literally 'bare waist', meaning completely unarmed, without even a sword. Historically used for samurai, now used idiomatically to mean defenseless or unprepared.
丸腰で敵に立ち向かうのは無謀だ。
It's reckless to confront the enemy unarmed.
To emphasize using only one's body, no weapons or tools.
Means 'bare hands'. Often used in phrases like 素手で (with bare hands). Implies no weapons or tools.
彼は素手でクマと戦った。
He fought the bear unarmed.
素手で触らないでください。
Don't touch it with your bare hands.
Formal/literary term for 'empty-handed' or 'unarmed'. Often seen in martial arts contexts or set phrases like 徒手空拳 (bare hands and empty fists).
徒手空拳で成功した。
He succeeded unarmed (i.e., starting with nothing).
Referring to fighting styles or techniques that do not use weapons.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'combat without using weapons'. Clear and straightforward.
この訓練では武器を使わない戦闘を学ぶ。
In this training, we learn unarmed combat.
Technical term for 'unarmed combat' or 'hand-to-hand fighting'. Used in military or martial arts contexts.
兵士たちは徒手格闘の訓練を受けた。
The soldiers received unarmed combat training.
Refers to unarmed martial arts techniques (as opposed to weapon techniques). Often used in ninja or traditional martial arts contexts.
English uses 'unarmed' as a simple adjective, but Japanese often requires a phrase like 武器を持っていない (not carrying a weapon) or a specific noun like 非武装. Avoid trying to create a single adjective equivalent.
彼は武器を持っていなかった。
He was unarmed.
Ninja taijutsu is unarmed.