Translation guide
Describes a person who is rejected or excluded from a group or society. Japanese expressions range from formal terms for social outcasts to casual words for loners or misfits.
A person rejected by society or a community, often due to stigma or taboo.
Common word for someone excluded from a group, like being left out of social circles.
彼はクラスでのけ者にされている。
He is treated as an outcast in class.
Historical term for ostracism from a village community; now used metaphorically for complete social exclusion.
彼は村八分にされた。
He was ostracized by the village.
Formal term for a social outcast or exile.
彼は社会的追放者として生きている。
He lives as a social outcast.
A person who doesn't fit in or prefers to be alone, often by choice or personality.
Literally 'lone wolf'; describes someone who acts independently and doesn't belong to a group.
彼は一匹狼で、誰にも頼らない。
He's a lone wolf and doesn't rely on anyone.
Someone who doesn't fit into the mainstream; a misfit or nonconformist.
彼は学校ではみ出し者だった。
He was a misfit at school.
Literally 'heretic child'; a maverick or unconventional person, often in a positive sense.
Someone forced to leave their home or country.
A person who has been exiled or banished.
彼は国を追われた追放者だ。
He is an exile driven from his country.
Wandering people; often used poetically for exiles or displaced persons.
彼らは流浪の民として各地を転々とした。
They wandered from place to place as exiles.
A member of a historically discriminated group in Japan.
Refers to people from buraku communities, historically discriminated against. Use with extreme caution due to sensitivity.
This term is highly sensitive and can be discriminatory. Avoid unless discussing historical context.
彼は部落民出身であることを隠していた。
He hid the fact that he was from a buraku background.
Edo-period term for outcastes; now considered derogatory and obsolete.
Derogatory and offensive. Only for historical reference.
穢多という身分は明治時代に廃止された。
The eta class was abolished in the Meiji period.
When describing someone simply left out of a group, のけ者 is natural. Using heavier terms like 追放者 would sound overly dramatic.
のけ者 implies being excluded by others, while 一匹狼 suggests a voluntary loner. Choose based on whether the exclusion is imposed or self-chosen.
He is called a maverick in the industry.