Translation guide
The English word 'bum' has several distinct meanings: a homeless person or vagrant, a lazy person, buttocks, and as a verb meaning to borrow or get for free. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
To refer to a person who lives on the streets or wanders without a home.
The most common and neutral term for a homeless person. Borrowed from English.
駅の近くにホームレスの人がたくさんいる。
There are many homeless people near the station.
A more formal or dated term for a vagrant or wanderer. Can sound harsh or legalistic.
浮浪者が公園で寝ている。
A vagrant is sleeping in the park.
An old-fashioned term from German 'Lumpen', now considered derogatory. Avoid in modern speech.
This term is outdated and can be offensive.
昔はルンペンと呼ばれた人たちがいた。
There were people once called 'lumpen'.
To describe someone who avoids work or is habitually idle.
A common word for a lazy person. Can be used affectionately or critically.
彼は怠け者で、一日中ソファに寝ている。
He's a lazy bum, lying on the sofa all day.
A colloquial term for a lazy person or idler. Often used as a noun or na-adjective.
Literally 'unemployed'. Can imply laziness depending on context, but is more factual.
To refer to the buttocks or rear end, often in informal contexts.
The standard polite word for buttocks. Suitable for most situations.
転んでお尻を打った。
I fell and bumped my bum.
A very casual and somewhat vulgar term for buttocks, similar to 'ass' in English.
ケツが痛い。
My bum hurts.
The anatomical term for buttocks. Used in medical or formal contexts.
To ask for or obtain something without paying, often casually or persistently.
A verb meaning to mooch, sponge off, or bum something from someone. Implies a degree of imposition.
彼はいつも友達にたかってばかりいる。
He's always bumming off his friends.
タバコを一本たからせて。
Let me bum a cigarette.
To pester someone for something, often money. Stronger nuance of begging or wheedling.
Simply means 'to borrow'. Use when the act is neutral and not necessarily mooching.
While 'bum' can mean buttocks in British English, the direct Japanese equivalent depends on formality. Using 'ケツ' in polite company is rude; stick to 'お尻' unless you're with close friends.
Both mean to mooch, but 'たかる' is more about sponging off someone habitually or for small items, while 'せびる' emphasizes persistent begging, often for money. 'たかる' can also mean to swarm (like insects), but that's a separate meaning.
あいつは本当にぐうたらだ。
That guy is a real bum.
He's unemployed and doesn't even look for a job.
I got an injection in my buttock.
The kid is bumming for pocket money.
Can I bum a pen? (literally: Can I borrow a pen?)