noun
hustler; go-getter; entrepreneur
Refers to a person who is energetic, resourceful, and aggressively pursues opportunities, often in business or street-smart contexts. Carries a positive or neutral tone in Japanese, unlike the sometimes negative English connotation.
彼は若いけど、なかなかのハスラーだ。
He's young, but quite a hustler.
あのハスラーはいつも新しいビジネスを探している。
That hustler is always looking for new business opportunities.
noun
pool shark; skilled billiard player
Specifically used for a highly skilled or professional pool/billiards player, often one who plays for money. This sense is directly borrowed from the English 'pool hustler'.
彼は伝説のハスラーで、一晩で大金を稼いだ。
He was a legendary pool hustler who made a fortune in one night.
noun
A less common, negative sense referring to a person who deceives others for money. This usage is closer to the original English 'hustler' as a dishonest operator.
あのハスラーに騙されて、貯金を全部取られた。
I was tricked by that con man and lost all my savings.