Translation guide
The English word 'profligate' has two main uses: describing wasteful spending (often with money) and describing morally dissolute behavior. This guide separates these meanings and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
Describing a person, action, or lifestyle characterized by extravagant and wasteful spending.
Describing a person or behavior that is sexually promiscuous or morally degenerate.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly covers both the financial and moral senses of 'profligate' with the same nuance. Choose the term based on the specific context. Using 放蕩 for financial waste alone might sound odd; stick to 浪費家 or 放漫 for money matters.
放蕩 is more formal and often appears in written language or historical contexts. ふしだら is more colloquial and carries a stronger judgmental tone about personal morals, especially sexual behavior.
He inherited a fortune, but he was profligate and quickly spent it all.
A na-adjective/noun meaning 'profligate', 'negligent', or 'lax', often used in financial contexts like 'profligate management' or 'profligate spending'. It implies a lack of discipline.
その会社は放漫経営のせいで倒産した。
The company went bankrupt due to profligate management.
A noun/suru-verb meaning 'squandering' or 'dissipation' of a fortune. It is more literary and emphasizes the complete wasting of resources.
彼は遺産を蕩尽した。
He profligately squandered his inheritance.
A common phrase meaning 'to spend money freely/wastefully'. It describes the behavior rather than the person, but can be used attributively.
彼女は金遣いが荒いから、いつも月末にはお金がない。
She is profligate with money, so she's always broke at the end of the month.
A noun/na-adjective meaning 'dissipation', 'profligacy', or 'debauchery'. It covers both financial waste and moral looseness, but is often used for a dissolute lifestyle.
彼は若い頃、放蕩の限りを尽くした。
In his youth, he lived a completely profligate life.
A na-adjective meaning 'licentious', 'dissolute', or 'slovenly'. It strongly implies moral looseness, especially in sexual conduct.
ふしだらな生活を送っていると、信用を失うよ。
If you lead a profligate life, you'll lose people's trust.
A na-adjective meaning 'self-indulgent', 'dissipated', or 'debauched'. It emphasizes a lack of self-discipline and moral decay.
自堕落な生活を改めなさい。
Stop your profligate ways.
A noun/na-adjective meaning 'licentiousness' or 'debauchery', with a strong focus on sexual immorality. It is quite literary and strong.
その小説は貴族の淫蕩な生活を描いている。
The novel depicts the profligate lives of the aristocracy.