Translation guide
A person who plays tricks or practical jokes on others. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various nouns and phrases, ranging from playful to mischievous, and can also be conveyed by describing the behavior.
Describing someone who enjoys light-hearted pranks and jokes, often in a friendly or amusing way.
A common and natural way to describe someone who loves playing pranks. It literally means 'mischief-lover' and is used for both children and adults in casual contexts.
彼はいたずら好きで、いつも友達を驚かせている。
He's a prankster and is always surprising his friends.
Describes someone who is playfully mischievous in a cute or charming way. Often used for children or light-hearted adults. It can function as a noun or na-adjective.
うちの子は本当におちゃめで、よく隠れて驚かせるの。
My kid is a real prankster, often hiding and surprising me.
Specifically refers to a mischievous child, a 'little prankster'. It has a slightly affectionate tone.
あのいたずらっ子がまた宿題を隠した。
That little prankster hid my homework again.
A more literal translation meaning 'mischief person'. It can sound a bit old-fashioned or literary, but is understood.
彼は昔から有名な悪戯者だ。
He's been a well-known prankster since way back.
Referring to someone who engages in more elaborate practical jokes, sometimes with a hint of cunning.
A straightforward descriptive phrase: 'a person who does pranks'. It's neutral and can be used in any context.
彼はよく悪戯をする人で、職場でも色々仕掛ける。
He's a prankster who often sets up various things even at work.
Means 'schemer' or 'strategist'. Can be used for someone who plans elaborate pranks, but it's not exclusively for pranks and may imply a more serious cunning.
彼はいたずらの策略家で、毎回凝った仕掛けを考える。
He's a prank schemer, always coming up with elaborate setups.
Describing a child or sometimes an adult who is naughty in a playful way, not necessarily doing pranks but being cheeky.
Describes a naughty, mischievous child. It can also be used as a noun for the child themselves. Very common in parenting contexts.
うちのやんちゃがまた壁に落書きした。
My little prankster drew on the wall again.
Similar to やんちゃ, meaning naughty or mischievous, typically for boys. Can be used as a noun or adjective.
いたずら好き emphasizes the love of pranks and can be used for all ages. おちゃめ implies a cute, charming mischievousness, often for girls or women. やんちゃ is for naughty, energetic children, especially boys, and doesn't necessarily involve planned pranks.
彼女はおちゃめな性格で、よく冗談を言う。
She has a prankster personality and often tells jokes.
あの子はやんちゃで、いつも走り回っている。
That kid is a little rascal, always running around.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'prankster' in all contexts. Using 悪戯者 can sound stiff. It's often better to describe the behavior or use いたずら好き.
彼は本当にいたずら好きで、私の椅子にブーブークッションを置いた。
He's such a prankster; he put a whoopee cushion on my chair.
妹はおちゃめで、いつも私の携帯を隠す。
My little sister is a prankster; she hides my phone all the time.
彼は小さい頃、腕白で有名だった。
He was famous as a prankster when he was little.