Translation guide
Describes a head with little or no hair. Japanese has several common words and phrases, ranging from neutral to casual or euphemistic.
To describe a bald head in a straightforward, non-offensive way.
The most common and neutral term for a bald head. Can be used in everyday conversation.
彼ははげ頭を気にしている。
He is self-conscious about his bald head.
Literally 'smooth/slippery head', often used for a completely shaved or very shiny bald head. Slightly more casual and descriptive.
赤ちゃんのつるつる頭をなでた。
I stroked the baby's smooth bald head.
Refers to a shaved head, like a Buddhist monk's. Often used for a closely cropped or intentionally bald style, not necessarily natural baldness.
夏は坊主頭が涼しい。
A shaved head is cool in summer.
To refer to a bald head in a very informal, sometimes humorous way.
A very common casual word for 'baldness' or 'bald head'. Can be used jokingly among friends but may be considered rude if used carelessly.
Can be offensive if used to describe someone directly without a close relationship.
あの人、ハゲてきたね。
That guy is going bald, huh.
Combines the casual 'ハゲ' with '頭' (head). Slightly more emphatic than just 'ハゲ'.
ハゲ頭を隠すために帽子をかぶっている。
He wears a hat to hide his bald head.
To refer to baldness indirectly or politely, often in formal situations.
Literally 'hair is thin', a common euphemism for balding. Polite and indirect.
最近、頭が薄くなってきた。
Lately, my hair has been thinning.
Literally 'has little hair', another indirect way to say someone is balding.
父は髪が少ないですが、気にしていません。
My father has little hair, but he doesn't mind.
To describe baldness in a clinical or medical context.
Medical term for alopecia or hair loss condition. Used in formal or medical settings.
脱毛症の治療法を探しています。
I am looking for treatments for alopecia.
Words like ハゲ can be very direct and potentially insulting. Use euphemisms like 頭が薄い in polite conversation, especially when referring to someone else.
はげ (hage) is a noun meaning 'baldness' or 'bald person'. はげ頭 (hage atama) specifically means 'bald head'. ハゲ in katakana is often used in casual or humorous contexts, similar to the kanji form but with a slightly more emphatic or slangy feel.