Translation guide
A guide to understanding and referring to the historical outcast group in Japan, with emphasis on appropriate terminology and cultural context.
部落民
burakumin (historical outcast group)
Use with caution; can be considered discriminatory. Often referred to euphemistically.
Referring to the social group historically discriminated against in Japan, often associated with occupations deemed impure.
The direct term, but it carries strong discriminatory connotations. Use only in historical or academic contexts with care.
Avoid in casual conversation; can be highly offensive. Prefer euphemisms or context-specific terms.
部落民に対する差別は今も残っている。
Discrimination against burakumin still persists today.
Literally 'discriminated-against burakumin', a more explicit term used in human rights discourse.
被差別部落民の人権を守るための法律が制定された。
A law was enacted to protect the human rights of discriminated burakumin.
Means 'person from a buraku', often used to refer to individuals with buraku ancestry without the direct 'burakumin' label.
彼は部落出身者であることを隠して生きてきた。
He has lived hiding the fact that he is from a buraku background.
In many contexts, it's better to refer to the issue indirectly, e.g., '同和問題' (dōwa mondai, 'assimilation issue') or '人権問題' (jinken mondai, 'human rights issue').
同和問題について学ぶ。
Learn about the dōwa issue (buraku discrimination).
Referring to the neighborhoods or districts historically inhabited by burakumin.
Originally means 'hamlet' or 'community', but in this context refers to buraku settlements. Can be neutral or discriminatory depending on usage.
Using '部落' alone can be ambiguous; clarify if needed.
その地域には古い部落が点在している。
Old buraku settlements are scattered in that area.
Discussing the ongoing struggle for equality and the movement for buraku liberation.
The buraku liberation movement, a social and political movement for the rights of burakumin.
部落解放運動は長い歴史を持つ。
The buraku liberation movement has a long history.
Government assimilation projects aimed at improving conditions in buraku areas, often controversial.
同和対策事業は地域の改善に貢献したが、批判もある。
Dōwa projects contributed to regional improvement, but there is also criticism.
The term 'burakumin' itself can be considered discriminatory. In Japanese, direct references to buraku background are often avoided in polite conversation. Use terms like '同和地区' (dōwa chiku) or '人権問題' (jinken mondai) when discussing the issue generally.
同和地区の住民に対する偏見をなくすべきだ。
We should eliminate prejudice against residents of dōwa districts.
When explaining the concept to non-Japanese speakers, it's often helpful to provide historical background about the Edo period class system and the occupations associated with kegare (impurity).
Explicitly 'discriminated-against buraku', used in formal or activist contexts.
被差別部落の歴史を研究している。
I am researching the history of discriminated buraku communities.