Translation guide
Describes a person who is morally bad, evil, or malicious. Japanese has many nuanced terms depending on the type of wickedness, from casual insults to formal literary terms.
To refer to a person who is morally bad or evil in a general sense.
The most common and neutral word for a bad or evil person. Can be used in both spoken and written contexts.
He is not a wicked person.
That wicked person was finally caught.
Literally 'bad guy', often used in stories or to refer to a villain. Slightly more colloquial than 悪人.
When I was a child, I thought the wicked person always loses.
Refers to a villain, scoundrel, or rogue, often in a dramatic or historical context. Implies a group or gang member.
He is one of the wicked people's gang.
To refer to a fictional antagonist or villain.
Specifically means a villain role in a story, play, or movie. Not used for real-life wicked people.
He always plays the wicked person.
Literally 'enemy role', similar to 悪役 but emphasizes the adversarial relationship. Common in traditional theater.
To emphasize cruelty or lack of empathy.
To refer to someone who is morally corrupt or engages in vice.
To use informal or slang expressions for a wicked or bad person.
To use more formal or literary expressions for a wicked person.
A literary term for a cunning and wicked person, often used in historical or political contexts.
Many wicked people appear in history.
Means an evil or wicked person, with a strong moral condemnation. Often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
Wicked people attacked the village.
While 邪悪 (じゃあく) means 'evil', it is not commonly used to describe people in everyday conversation. It sounds overly dramatic or religious. Use 悪人 or context-specific terms instead.
悪人 is a neutral term for a bad person, while 悪者 often implies a villain in a story or a 'bad guy' in a more colloquial sense. 悪者 can also be used for a scapegoat.
In Kabuki, the wicked person role is popular.
She seems like a wicked person, but actually she is kind.
He is known as a wicked person (heinous).
His behavior is too wicked (sleazy).