Translation guide
A person who gambles, either professionally or habitually. Japanese has several words that map to 'gambler', but the best choice depends on context: a casual gambler, a professional, or a compulsive gambler.
To refer to someone who engages in gambling, without strong positive or negative connotations.
A direct loanword from English. Widely understood and neutral in tone. Suitable for most contexts when referring to a gambler in a general sense.
彼は生まれつきのギャンブラーだ。
He's a born gambler.
A more traditional Japanese term for a professional gambler, often associated with organized gambling or historical contexts. Can carry a slightly rough or underworld nuance.
彼は博徒として生計を立てている。
He makes a living as a gambler.
A formal, somewhat literary term for a professional gambler. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
彼は有名な賭博師だった。
He was a famous gambler.
To describe someone who gambles excessively, often to the point of addiction or financial ruin.
Literally 'gambling addiction'. Used to describe a person with a gambling disorder. Often used with の人 or の患者.
彼はギャンブル依存症だ。
He is a compulsive gambler.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a person who is deeply into gambling'. Conveys the idea of being absorbed in gambling, often with negative implications.
彼は賭け事にのめり込む人で、借金が絶えない。
He's a gambler who's always in debt.
A somewhat dated or rough term for a gambler, often implying a reckless or habitual gambler. Can be used in a derogatory way.
To describe someone who takes big risks in business, life, etc., not necessarily involving money or cards.
The loanword is also used figuratively for a risk-taker in general, just like in English.
彼はビジネスの世界ではギャンブラーとして知られている。
He's known as a gambler in the business world.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'a person who takes risks'. More literal and less colorful than ギャンブラー.
成功するにはリスクを取る人でなければならない。
To succeed, you have to be a gambler (risk-taker).
ギャンブラー is the safest, most neutral choice for 'gambler' in modern Japanese. 博徒 sounds old-fashioned or yakuza-related. ばくち打ち is rough and often derogatory. Use ギャンブル依存症 for clinical contexts.
彼はただのギャンブラーじゃない、博徒だ。
He's not just a gambler; he's a professional gambler (with underworld ties).
賭博者 (とばくしゃ) is a dictionary form but sounds unnatural and overly formal. Stick to ギャンブラー or 博徒 depending on context.
あの男は筋金入りのばくち打ちだ。
That guy is a hard-core gambler.