Translation guide
The concept of obscenity in Japanese is expressed through words for lewdness, vulgarity, and indecency, with important distinctions between legal, social, and casual contexts.
To refer to something that is obscene, indecent, or offensive to public morals, often in a legal or formal sense.
The standard term for obscenity, used in legal contexts and everyday language. Covers indecent acts, materials, and speech.
わいせつな画像を送るのは犯罪です。
Sending obscene images is a crime.
彼はわいせつ物陳列罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested for displaying obscene materials.
Similar to わいせつ but often implies vulgarity or lewdness, sometimes with a stronger moral judgment. Common in describing speech or behavior.
彼の卑わいな冗談にはうんざりだ。
I'm fed up with his obscene jokes.
Kanji form of わいせつ, used in legal documents or formal writing. The meaning is identical.
猥褻物陳列罪で起訴された。
He was indicted for displaying obscene materials.
To describe something sexually explicit, lewd, or perverted in a more casual or colloquial way.
Abbreviation of 'erotic'. Very common in casual speech for anything sexually suggestive or pornographic. Can be used as a noun or adjective.
あの映画はちょっとエロすぎる。
That movie is a bit too obscene/erotic.
エロ本を隠し持っている。
He's hiding porn magazines.
An adjective meaning lewd, suggestive, or disgusting in a sexual way. Often used for behavior, looks, or jokes.
Slang for lecherous, perverted, or horny. Often used to describe a person or their actions. Can be a noun or adjective.
Kanji form of スケベ, slightly more old-fashioned or dialectal. Same meaning.
To refer to swear words, dirty talk, or vulgar expressions.
Literally 'vulgar words'. A general term for obscene or crude language.
そんな下品な言葉を使わないでください。
Please don't use such obscene language.
A more formal term for vulgar or obscene words, often used in dictionaries or linguistic contexts.
この辞書には卑語も収録されている。
This dictionary also includes obscene words.
Literally 'dirty words'. A common, slightly less formal way to refer to obscene language.
汚い言葉を聞くと気分が悪くなる。
I feel sick when I hear obscene language.
To refer to a specific obscene gesture or physical act.
Standard phrase for an obscene act, often used in legal or formal descriptions.
公共の場でのわいせつな行為は禁止されています。
Obscene acts in public are prohibited.
A lewd gesture or suggestive movement, used in casual contexts.
彼女はいやらしい仕草で誘惑した。
She seduced him with lewd gestures.
The English word 'obscenity' is broad. In Japanese, the most direct equivalent is わいせつ, but it is often used in legal or formal contexts. For casual talk about lewdness, use エロ or いやらしい. For swear words, use 下品な言葉 or 汚い言葉.
Both mean obscene or indecent, but わいせつ is the standard legal term, while 卑わい carries a stronger nuance of vulgarity and moral repugnance. 卑わい is less common in everyday speech.
いやらしい目つきで見ないで。
Don't look at me with those lewd eyes.
He's such a pervert.
あの助平じじい！
That lecherous old man!