Translation guide
Describes a person or action that lacks moral principles, honesty, or fairness, often willing to do dishonest or unfair things for personal gain.
Describing a person who is dishonest, immoral, or willing to do anything for personal gain.
Refers to a person or business that is corrupt, immoral, or engages in vice. Often used for unscrupulous merchants or professionals.
彼は悪徳弁護士だ。
He is an unscrupulous lawyer.
Means dishonest or insincere. Emphasizes lack of integrity and trustworthiness.
不誠実な政治家は信用できない。
You can't trust an unscrupulous politician.
Literally 'without principles', describes someone who lacks moral consistency and will do anything to suit their interests.
彼は無節操な商売人だ。
He is an unscrupulous businessman.
Means 'without a conscience'. Strongly implies a complete lack of moral scruples.
良心のない詐欺師に騙された。
I was deceived by an unscrupulous con artist.
Describing actions, methods, or practices that are morally wrong or dishonest.
Broad term for dishonest, illegal, or unfair actions. Commonly used for unscrupulous business practices or cheating.
その会社は不正な手段で契約を取った。
The company used unscrupulous methods to get the contract.
Literally 'dirty', used figuratively for underhanded or unscrupulous tactics. Common in casual speech.
Formal term meaning 'unethical'. Used in academic or professional contexts.
その研究は非倫理的だと批判された。
The research was criticized as unscrupulous.
Describing someone who takes advantage of others without moral restraint, often in business or personal relationships.
Means greedy or avaricious, often implying unscrupulousness in pursuit of profit.
強欲な大家が家賃を不当に上げた。
The unscrupulous landlord unfairly raised the rent.
Means 'exploitative'. Used for unscrupulous practices that exploit workers or vulnerable people.
搾取的な経営者は従業員を酷使した。
The unscrupulous manager overworked the employees.
悪徳 (akutoku) typically describes a person or entity with a corrupt character, while 不正 (fusei) focuses on the dishonest or illegal nature of an action or method. Use 悪徳 for unscrupulous individuals and 不正 for unscrupulous deeds.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'unscrupulous' in all contexts. Translating it literally as 無節操 (musessou) or 非倫理的 (hirinriteki) may sound unnatural in casual conversation. Choose the option that best fits the specific nuance of dishonesty, greed, or lack of principles.
汚い手を使うな。
Don't use unscrupulous tricks.