Translation guide
The English word "vice" has two main meanings: a moral failing or bad habit, and a tool that grips objects. It can also refer to criminal activities involving sex or drugs. This guide covers these distinct meanings with natural Japanese equivalents.
Expressing a personal weakness, immoral behavior, or bad habit, such as gambling, drinking, or lying.
A common word for a bad habit or vice, often used for personal weaknesses like drinking or gambling.
彼の悪癖はギャンブルだ。
His vice is gambling.
Refers to a bad custom or vice, often used in a slightly more formal or societal context.
飲酒の悪習を断つ。
To give up the vice of drinking.
A formal term for immorality or vice, often used in ethical or philosophical discussions.
不徳の行いを恥じる。
To be ashamed of one's vices.
Referring to a mechanical tool with two jaws that close to hold an object firmly, used in woodworking or metalworking.
The standard Japanese word for a bench vise or vice. Note the different spelling from English.
万力でパイプを固定する。
Secure the pipe with a vise.
A loanword from English 'vise', commonly used in technical contexts.
バイスで部品を挟む。
Clamp the part in a vise.
Referring to illegal or immoral activities, especially related to prostitution, pornography, or narcotics, often used in phrases like 'vice squad'.
Refers to crimes against public morals, including prostitution and gambling. Often used in police contexts.
風紀犯罪の取り締まり。
Crackdown on vice crimes.
Specifically refers to obscene or indecent acts, often sexual in nature.
猥褻行為で逮捕された。
He was arrested for vice (obscene acts).
Means 'corrupt' or 'vicious', often used in compounds like 悪徳商法 (fraudulent business practices). Not a direct translation of 'vice' but appears in related contexts.
In American English, the tool is spelled 'vise', while in British English it is 'vice'. Japanese uses 万力 or バイス regardless.
悪癖 (あくへき) is more personal and habitual, while 悪習 (あくしゅう) can refer to a bad custom shared by a group. For personal vices like smoking, 悪癖 is more natural.
悪徳商法に注意。
Beware of vice (fraudulent) business practices.