Translation guide
To act in a duplicitous manner, pretending to support one side while secretly working for another, or to deceive by maintaining two opposing loyalties.
To describe someone who is secretly working against a person or group while pretending to be loyal, often in politics, business, or personal relationships.
Literally 'to straddle two forks', this is a common idiom for double-dealing, especially in romantic relationships or when maintaining two conflicting commitments.
彼は二つの会社に二股をかけている。
He is playing a double game with two companies.
Means 'to have a front and a back', implying a person is two-faced or duplicitous. Used to describe someone's character.
あの人は裏表があって信用できない。
That person plays a double game and can't be trusted.
A noun meaning 'double-heartedness' or 'duplicity'. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
Literally 'to use a double tongue', meaning to say different things to different people, to be duplicitous.
政治家はよく二枚舌を使うと言われる。
Politicians are often said to play a double game.
A direct loanword from English, used in contexts like espionage or international politics. Less common in everyday speech.
スパイはダブルゲームをしていた。
The spy was playing a double game.
Directly translating 'play a double game' as 「ダブルゲームをする」 is not natural in most contexts. Use idiomatic expressions like 「二股をかける」 or 「裏表がある」 instead.
Those who play a double game will not succeed.