Translation guide
Describes someone who is clever at getting what they want, often by tricking others. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives and phrases that convey cunning, craftiness, or slyness.
He is a wily politician.
A common, slightly colloquial adjective meaning sly or cunning in a self-serving way. Implies a negative judgment.
That kid is wily and always copies homework.
Similar to ずる賢い but with a stronger nuance of malicious intent. Often used for villains or schemers.
I was tricked by a wily con artist.
A literary term for someone who is experienced and cunning, often with a nuance of worldly wisdom used for manipulation. Rare in everyday speech.
A wily merchant is not easily fooled.
To describe behavior or a person that is secretively cunning, often in a playful or mildly negative way.
A colloquial adjective meaning sly or sneaky, often used for petty cunning. Common in casual conversation.
He won using wily tactics.
Implies being clever in an annoying or impertinent way. Often used for someone who tries to outsmart others but is transparent.
Same as こすい but written with kanji. Less common in modern writing, but seen in literature.
To describe someone who is clever and good at handling situations, often in a business or survival context, without strong negative connotations.
Means sharp, shrewd, or not missing a trick. Can be positive or neutral, implying alertness and practical intelligence.
She is a wily business owner.
Describes someone tough, calculating, and resilient. Often used for people who are hard to beat because of their cunning and persistence.
He was a wily negotiator.
狡猾 (こうかつ) is more formal and often used in writing or serious contexts, while ずる賢い (ずるがしこい) is casual and commonly used in everyday speech to describe someone's petty cunning.
There is no exact one-to-one equivalent for 'wily' in Japanese. Choose an adjective based on the nuance you want to convey: negative cunning (ずる賢い), positive shrewdness (抜け目ない), or literary craftiness (老獪).
Stop making wily excuses.
狡い狐のような男だ。
He's a wily man like a fox.
A set phrase meaning 'a sly old fox' or someone who has been through many experiences and become crafty. Literally 'a thousand seas, a thousand mountains'.
He's a wily veteran.