Translation guide
The act of threatening to reveal secrets to force someone to do something, usually for money.
To refer to the act of extorting money or favors by threatening to expose secrets.
The most common legal and general term for blackmail or extortion. Often used in news and formal contexts.
To express the action of forcing someone to do something by threatening to reveal secrets.
The most natural way to say 'to blackmail someone'. The object is the person being blackmailed.
彼は上司をゆすって昇進させてもらった。
He blackmailed his boss into giving him a promotion.
To refer to the secret information used to blackmail someone.
恐喝 (きょうかつ) is the legal term for blackmail/extortion and is used in formal contexts. 脅迫 (きょうはく) is broader, meaning 'threat' or 'intimidation', and can be used in blackmail situations but also for other threats. ゆすり is a colloquial term for blackmail or a shakedown, often used in everyday speech.
The English word 'blackmail' does not have a direct one-word equivalent in Japanese that covers all nuances. Use 恐喝 for the crime, ゆする for the action, and 弱み for the leverage.
彼は私をゆすろうとした。
He tried to blackmail me.
恐喝は重大な犯罪です。
Blackmail is a serious crime.
彼は恐喝の罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested on charges of blackmail.
Refers to threats or intimidation, often used in the context of blackmail. Can also mean general threats.
彼女は脅迫されてお金を渡した。
She was blackmailed into handing over money.
A more colloquial term for blackmail or extortion, often implying a shakedown. Used in everyday speech.
あの男はゆすりで生計を立てている。
That guy makes a living through blackmail.
A less common kanji compound for extortion or blackmail, often read as ゆすり in practice. Literary or formal.
強請罪で起訴された。
He was indicted for blackmail.
Formal or legal term for blackmailing someone. Often used in news reports.
容疑者は被害者を恐喝したとされている。
The suspect is alleged to have blackmailed the victim.
To threaten or intimidate someone, often in the context of blackmail. Can be used for general threats.
彼は秘密をばらすと脅迫した。
He threatened to reveal the secret.
Literally 'weakness', but commonly used to mean something that can be used against someone, like blackmail material.
彼は私の弱みを握っている。
He has something on me (he knows my weak point).
Colloquial phrase meaning 'material for blackmail'. ネタ comes from たね (seed) reversed, meaning the core of a story or joke.
その写真は脅迫のネタに使われた。
That photo was used as blackmail material.
A more formal or legal term for blackmail material.
彼は恐喝の材料を集めていた。
He was gathering material for blackmail.