Translation guide
The English word "bitch" has multiple distinct meanings: a female dog, a vulgar insult for a woman, a verb meaning to complain, and slang for a difficult situation. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each, with strong warnings about direct translation and cultural differences.
Referring to a female canine
The standard, neutral term for a female dog. Used in veterinary, breeding, or general contexts.
この雌犬はとてもおとなしい。
This female dog is very gentle.
雌犬の避妊手術をしました。
We spayed the female dog.
Alternative kanji for 雌犬, less common but seen in some contexts.
Using a vulgar term to insult a woman, similar to English "bitch"
She's such a bitch. · Don't be a bitch.
In most situations, Japanese speakers convey annoyance or criticism without a direct equivalent of "bitch." Instead, they use phrases like 嫌な女 (iya na onna, "unpleasant woman") or describe the behavior. This is safer and more natural.
あの人、本当に嫌な女だね。
She's really an unpleasant woman, isn't she?
彼女の態度には腹が立つ。
Her attitude pisses me off.
A vulgar, derogatory term for a woman, similar to "bitch" or "broad." Used primarily by men in rough, confrontational speech. Extremely offensive; not for polite conversation.
Highly offensive and old-fashioned. Can provoke strong reactions. Avoid unless you fully understand the context.
このアマが！
You bitch! (in a fight)
Literally "shit woman," a very strong vulgar insult. Rare and extremely offensive.
Extremely vulgar. Not recommended for learners.
あのクソ女、マジでむかつく。
That fucking bitch really pisses me off.
Expressing the action of complaining persistently or peevishly
Stop bitching about the weather. · He's always bitching about his job.
A casual verb meaning to complain or gripe. Commonly used among friends. Not as strong as "bitch" but captures the sense of venting frustrations.
また愚痴ってるの？
Are you bitching again?
彼はいつも仕事の愚痴をこぼしている。
He's always bitching about work.
A more general phrase for complaining. Can be used in both casual and formal settings. Less emotional than 愚痴る.
彼はいつも文句を言っている。
He's always complaining.
文句ばかり言わないで。
Stop bitching all the time.
A more formal term for complaining or expressing dissatisfaction. Often used in written or polite contexts.
彼は給料について不平を言った。
He bitched about his salary.
Referring to a situation that is annoying, difficult, or unfair, as in "life's a bitch"
Life's a bitch. · This job is a real bitch.
Literally "troublesome thing," this is a common way to describe a difficult or annoying situation. It captures the slang sense of "bitch" without vulgarity.
人生って面倒なことばかりだ。
Life's a bitch.
この仕事は本当に面倒なことだ。
This job is a real bitch.
Means "troublesome matter" or "nuisance." Slightly more formal than 面倒なこと.
車の修理は厄介なことになった。
Fixing the car turned into a real bitch.
Means "the worst." Used colloquially to express that a situation is terrible, similar to "this is a bitch."
The English insult "bitch" does not have a direct, equally common equivalent in Japanese. Words like アマ (ama) or クソ女 (kuso-onna) exist but are extremely vulgar and rarely used in the same way. Using them can cause serious offense. Often, Japanese speakers express similar sentiments through tone, context, or indirect criticism rather than a single word.
あの女、むかつく。
That woman pisses me off. (conveying similar feeling without a direct insult)
雌犬 (mesuinu) is the neutral biological term for a female dog. It is not used as an insult. The English insult "bitch" is completely separate in Japanese and requires different vocabulary.
うちの雌犬が子犬を産んだ。
Our female dog had puppies.
The verb 愚痴る (guchiru) is a common casual way to say "complain" or "gripe." It is not as vulgar as "bitch" in English, but it is informal. In more formal settings, use 不平を言う (fuhei o iu) or 文句を言う (monku o iu).
愚痴ってないで何かしなよ。
Stop bitching and do something.
隣の雌犬が子犬を産んだ。
My neighbor's bitch had puppies.
Raising a female dog requires care.
今日は最悪だ。
Today is a bitch.