Translation guide
Describes a person, behavior, or remark that playfully shows romantic or sexual interest. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, descriptive phrases, and verbs that convey a light, playful, or seductive manner.
Describing a person or their behavior as playfully romantic or coquettish, often in a light-hearted way.
An i-adjective meaning 'sexy' or 'alluring', often used for someone who exudes a flirtatious charm. It can describe appearance, voice, or manner.
彼女は色っぽい話し方をする。
She has a flirtatious way of speaking.
あの俳優はとても色っぽい。
That actor is very flirtatious.
A phrase meaning 'coquettish' or 'ingratiating', often implying a deliberate attempt to attract attention. Can carry a slightly negative nuance of being overly flattering.
彼の媚びるような態度が気になる。
His flirtatious attitude bothers me.
Similar to 色っぽい but with a nuance of glossy, sensual charm. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts.
彼女の艶っぽい笑顔に惹かれた。
I was drawn to her flirtatious smile.
Describing the act of flirting through words or actions, such as teasing or making suggestive comments.
A verb meaning 'to flirt with' or 'to hit on' someone, often with romantic or sexual intent. It can range from light flirting to persistent persuasion.
彼はパーティーで女の子を口説いていた。
He was flirting with girls at the party.
口説くのが上手いね。
You're good at flirting, aren't you?
A casual verb meaning 'to flirt' or 'to be lovey-dovey', often used for couples or people showing mutual affection in a playful, physical way.
Describing someone who is naturally flirtatious or enjoys flirting as a character trait.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'flirtatious by nature' or 'prone to infidelity'. It implies a tendency to flirt with many people, often with a negative connotation.
彼は浮気性だから信用できない。
He's flirtatious, so I can't trust him.
A noun meaning 'playboy' or 'flirt', describing someone who treats romantic relationships casually. Often used for men.
A slang i-adjective meaning 'flirtatious' or 'shallow', often used for someone who is flashy and hits on many people. Common among younger speakers.
あのチャラい男は信用できない。
That flirtatious guy can't be trusted.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'flirtatious' in all contexts. Using a direct translation like フラーテイシャス is not natural. Choose an expression based on the specific nuance you want to convey.
Both mean 'alluring' or 'flirtatious', but 色っぽい is more common and directly implies sexiness, while 艶っぽい has a more refined, glossy charm and is often used in literary descriptions.
カップルがいちゃついている。
The couple is flirting with each other.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to make a pass at' or 'to flirt with' someone, often in a teasing or meddlesome way. Can also mean to interfere.
彼はいつも女性にちょっかいを出している。
He's always flirting with women.
彼は遊び人で、真剣な恋愛をしない。
He's a flirt and doesn't take relationships seriously.