Translation guide
The English word 'naughty' covers a range of meanings from mildly mischievous to sexually suggestive. In Japanese, different words and expressions are used depending on the nuance.
Describing a child or pet who is playfully disobedient or causing minor trouble.
The most common and neutral way to describe a naughty child or pet. It implies playful mischief rather than serious misbehavior.
いたずらな子猫がカーテンを引っかいた。
The naughty kitten scratched the curtains.
My child is naughty and often hides.
Often used for boisterous, unruly children, especially boys. Carries a sense of energetic mischief.
やんちゃな男の子たちが公園で走り回っている。
The naughty boys are running around in the park.
Similar to やんちゃ, but slightly old-fashioned. Often used affectionately for mischievous boys.
腕白な子供時代を過ごした。
I had a naughty childhood.
Describing someone who deliberately disobeys rules or behaves badly, often with a stronger negative connotation.
Literally 'doesn't listen to what is said'. A common, natural way to say a child is naughty in the sense of being disobedient.
あの子は本当に言うことを聞かない。
That child is really naughty (disobedient).
Means selfish or willful. Used when a child's naughtiness stems from wanting their own way.
わがままな子供で、おもちゃを独り占めする。
He's a naughty child who monopolizes the toys.
Literally 'bad child'. Direct and simple, often used when scolding.
悪い子ね！お片付けしなさい。
Naughty child! Clean up your toys.
Describing jokes, behavior, or clothing that is mildly sexual or provocative in a playful way.
Can mean naughty in a sexual sense, but also lewd or obscene. Context determines the strength.
彼はいやらしい冗談を言った。
He told a naughty joke.
The most common and versatile word for 'naughty' in a sexual context. Can describe people, thoughts, or things. Mildly slangy.
エッチな本を読んでいた。
I was reading a naughty book.
彼女はエッチな下着を着ている。
She is wearing naughty underwear.
Means risqué or borderline inappropriate. Often used for clothing or jokes that are almost too revealing.
Describes a seductive, coquettish charm, often used for women. Literary and somewhat old-fashioned.
Describing something enjoyable but slightly forbidden, like rich food or a secret pleasure.
Literally 'immoral', but used lightly for guilty pleasures like eating too much cake. Often in phrases like 背徳のスイーツ (sinful sweets).
深夜に背徳のラーメンを食べた。
I had a naughty bowl of ramen late at night.
Means 'a little bad', used playfully for indulgent acts.
ダイエット中だけど、ちょっと悪いことをしてケーキを食べちゃった。
I'm on a diet, but I was naughty and ate some cake.
Calling a child 'naughty' in English is often light-hearted, but directly translating to いたずらな or 悪い子 can sound harsher in Japanese. Use いたずらな for playful mischief, and reserve 悪い子 for serious scolding.
いたずらっ子ね！
You little rascal! (affectionate)
エッチ is the standard casual term for 'naughty' in a sexual sense and is widely used. いやらしい can be stronger and more negative, closer to 'lewd' or 'creepy', so be careful with context.
そのドレスはちょっと際どいね。
That dress is a bit naughty, isn't it?
彼女のあだっぽい微笑みにドキッとした。
Her naughty smile made my heart skip a beat.