Translation guide
The act of making someone believe something that is not true, often to gain an advantage or avoid trouble. This guide covers common Japanese words and phrases for lying, tricking, cheating, and misleading, organized by the intent and context of the deception.
To say something false, usually to hide the truth or avoid consequences.
The most common and general word for a lie or falsehood. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
He told a lie.
それは嘘だよ。
That's a lie.
A more formal or literary term for falsehood or fabrication. Often used in written language or serious contexts.
彼の言葉は偽りだった。
His words were falsehoods.
A formal, somewhat archaic term for a lie or false statement. Rare in everyday speech.
虚言を弄する。
To tell lies.
To deceive someone for personal gain, especially financially or in games.
Fraud, scam, or swindle. Used for criminal deception, such as financial scams or identity theft.
彼は詐欺で逮捕された。
He was arrested for fraud.
それは詐欺だよ。
That's a scam.
To trick or deceive someone. Often used for personal betrayals or minor tricks, but can also cover serious fraud.
A swindle or con game. Slightly dated slang, often used in the phrase ペテン師 (con artist).
彼はペテン師だ。
He's a con artist.
To hide the true nature of something by making it look like something else.
To cause someone to have a wrong idea or belief, often by omission or subtle manipulation.
To deceive or betray, often implying a breach of trust. Stronger and more formal than 騙す.
To deceive, mislead, or cover up, often by distracting or evading. Commonly used for fudging numbers, dodging questions, or hiding mistakes.
Deception, deceit, or hypocrisy. Often used in philosophical or critical contexts to describe systemic dishonesty.
To deceive oneself, often by rationalizing or ignoring the truth.
Literally 'to deceive oneself'. The most direct way to express self-deception.
彼は自分を騙している。
He is deceiving himself.
Self-deception as a concept. Formal and often used in psychology or philosophy.
自己欺瞞に陥る。
To fall into self-deception.
騙す (damasu) is the common word for tricking or deceiving someone, often in everyday situations. 欺く (azamuku) is more formal and implies a deeper betrayal or breach of trust. Use 騙す for most cases; use 欺く in writing or when emphasizing the moral weight of the deception.
The English noun 'deception' does not have a single perfect equivalent in Japanese. Depending on context, you may need to use 嘘 (lie), 詐欺 (fraud), 欺瞞 (deceit), or a verb like 騙す. Avoid directly translating 'deception' as 欺き (azamuki) in most cases, as it is uncommon.
I was tricked by him.
人を騙してはいけない。
You must not deceive people.
Camouflage, borrowed from English. Used in military contexts or metaphorically for hiding intentions.
彼は自分の感情をカモフラージュした。
He camouflaged his feelings.
迷彩服を着る。
Wear camouflage clothing.
He dodged the question.
帳簿を誤魔化す。
To cook the books.
That is deception.