Translation guide
The quality of not telling the truth, being dishonest, or lacking veracity. This guide covers how to express untruthfulness in Japanese, from direct accusations to nuanced descriptions of character or statements.
Describing a person who is habitually untruthful or lacks integrity.
Means 'insincerity' or 'dishonesty' as a character trait. It implies a lack of faithfulness to truth or promises.
彼の不誠実さにはもう我慢できない。
I can no longer tolerate his untruthfulness.
Literally 'liar'. A common, direct way to call someone untruthful. Can be harsh or childish.
あの人は嘘つきだから、信用できない。
That person is a liar, so I can't trust them.
A softer, indirect way to say someone is not honest. Literally 'is not honest'.
彼は正直ではないと思う。
I think he is untruthful.
Describing a specific statement or claim that is not true or is deceptive.
Means 'falsehood' or 'untruth'. Often used in formal or legal contexts to describe false statements.
彼の証言には虚偽が含まれていた。
His testimony contained untruthfulness.
The most common word for 'lie' or 'falsehood'. Can be used for any untruthful statement.
それは明らかに嘘だ。
That is clearly an untruth.
Literally 'not a fact'. A neutral way to state that something is untrue without directly accusing of lying.
その話は事実ではない。
That story is untruthful.
Referring to untruthfulness as a concept or quality, often in philosophical or analytical discussions.
The quality of being false or untruthful. Used in formal or academic contexts.
その情報の虚偽性が問題になった。
The untruthfulness of the information became an issue.
A rare, formal term for 'untruthfulness' or 'lack of truth'. Mostly found in legal or philosophical texts.
不真実の申し立ては許されない。
Untruthful claims are not permitted.
English 'untruthfulness' is often translated as a noun, but in Japanese it's more natural to use adjectives or verbs (e.g., 正直ではない, 嘘をつく) rather than abstract nouns like 虚偽性 in everyday speech.
嘘 is the everyday word for 'lie', while 虚偽 is more formal and often used in legal or official contexts. 虚偽 implies a deliberate falsehood, whereas 嘘 can be used for white lies or jokes.