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.
彼は悪人ではない。
He is not a wicked person.
あの悪人はついに捕まった。
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.
子供の頃、悪者はいつも負けると思っていた。
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.
彼は悪党の一味だ。
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.
彼はいつも悪役を演じる。
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.
Describes a cold-hearted, cruel person. 冷酷 means ruthless or merciless.
彼は冷酷な人だ。
He is a wicked person (cruel).
Means a heartless or callous person. Often used for someone who shows no emotion or pity.
彼女は非情な人に見えるが、実は優しい。
She seems like a wicked person, but actually she is kind.
To refer to someone who is morally corrupt or engages in vice.
Refers to a person of vice or corruption. Often used in contexts like corrupt officials or immoral businesspeople.
悪徳な政治家が逮捕された。
A wicked (corrupt) politician was arrested.
A very wicked person, a heinous criminal. Stronger than 悪人.
彼は極悪人として知られている。
He is known as a wicked person (heinous).
To use informal or slang expressions for a wicked or bad person.
Literally 'trash' or 'scum', used as a strong insult for a worthless or despicable person. Very casual and harsh.
あいつは本当にクズだ。
That guy is a real wicked person (scumbag).
Slang for a sleazy, low-life person. Similar to 'scumbag' or 'creep'.
彼の行動はゲスすぎる。
His behavior is too wicked (sleazy).
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.
歴史には多くの奸人が登場する。
Many wicked people appear in history.
Means an evil or wicked person, with a strong moral condemnation. Often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
邪悪な人々が村を襲った。
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.
歌舞伎では敵役が人気だ。
In Kabuki, the wicked person role is popular.