Translation guide
Describes the state of having little or no hair on the head, either naturally or due to hair loss. Japanese has several words for baldness, ranging from neutral medical terms to casual slang.
To refer to baldness in a neutral or medical context, such as describing a condition or symptom.
A formal, medical term for baldness. Often used in clinical or written contexts.
彼は若い頃から禿頭に悩んでいる。
He has been suffering from baldness since he was young.
Medical term for hair loss or alopecia. Used when discussing the condition as a medical issue.
脱毛症の治療法はいくつかあります。
There are several treatments for alopecia.
Common, everyday word for baldness or a bald person. Can be neutral or slightly blunt depending on context.
父は最近はげが気になるらしい。
My father seems to be worried about his baldness lately.
To describe someone as bald or having a bald head.
The most common way to say someone is bald. Uses the verb はげる (to go bald) in the progressive form.
田中さんは最近はげてきた。
Mr. Tanaka has been going bald recently.
彼は完全にはげている。
He is completely bald.
Literally 'head is bald'. A slightly more explicit way to describe baldness.
あの人は頭がはげている。
That person is bald.
Refers to a completely shaved head, often as a style choice rather than natural baldness.
To specifically refer to male pattern baldness or a receding hairline.
Premature baldness; going bald at a young age. Commonly used for male pattern baldness.
彼は若はげで悩んでいる。
He is troubled by premature baldness.
Describes a receding hairline. Literally 'the hairline is retreating'.
最近、生え際が後退してきた。
My hairline has been receding lately.
Slang for an M-shaped receding hairline, typical of male pattern baldness.
彼はM字はげが進んでいる。
His M-shaped baldness is progressing.
To refer to a bald spot or thinning hair on the crown or other areas.
Bald spot on the crown of the head. Very common term.
つむじはげが気になる。
I'm worried about my bald spot.
To have thinning hair. A softer, more indirect way to describe early baldness.
父は年を取って髪が薄くなった。
My father's hair has thinned with age.
Thin hair; often used in advertising for hair loss products. Can refer to the condition of having sparse hair.
To emphasize a completely bald, often shiny head.
Slang for a completely bald, smooth, shiny head. Often used humorously.
彼はつるっぱげで、頭が光っている。
He's completely bald and his head is shiny.
Very casual, onomatopoeic term for a shiny bald head.
あの人の頭、ピカピカはげだね。
That guy's head is shiny bald, isn't it?
While はげ is the most common word for baldness, it can sound blunt or rude if used directly about someone. In polite conversation, it's safer to use phrases like 髪が薄い (hair is thin) or 頭が寂しい (head is lonely, a euphemism).
Japanese often uses indirect expressions for baldness to avoid embarrassment. Common euphemisms include 頭が涼しい (head is cool) or 髪が少ない (hair is sparse).
彼ははげを気にしている。
He is worried about baldness.
彼の家系ははげやすい。
Baldness runs in his family.
He has a shaved head.
For those worried about thinning hair.