Translation guide
The English word 'shit' has multiple meanings ranging from vulgar slang for feces to casual expressions of frustration, surprise, or emphasis. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each use, with strong warnings about register and politeness.
The literal meaning: solid waste from the body, used in a crude or vulgar way.
The most direct vulgar equivalent. Extremely crude; not used in polite conversation.
犬のクソを踏んだ。
I stepped in dog shit.
More technical or literary term for feces, often used in compounds. Less vulgar than クソ but still direct.
鳥の糞が車に落ちた。
Bird shit fell on the car.
Childish or informal word for poop. Not as vulgar as 'shit', more like 'poop'.
子供がうんこをもらした。
The kid had a shit accident.
Formal/medical term for feces. Not vulgar, used in clinical contexts.
大便の検査をします。
We'll do a stool test.
Used as an interjection to express strong negative emotions like anger, annoyance, or shock.
Direct equivalent of 'shit!' as an exclamation. Very vulgar and masculine-sounding.
クソ！また負けた。
Shit! I lost again.
Literally 'damn it' or 'beast', a common exclamation of frustration. Less vulgar than クソ, but still strong.
Means 'I messed up' or 'oh no'. A mild exclamation of regret, not vulgar.
Slang for 'oh crap' or 'oh no', can express both positive and negative surprise. Very common among young people.
Describing something as bad, useless, or of low quality.
Used as a prefix or standalone to mean 'shitty' or 'crappy'. Extremely vulgar.
このクソゲーはつまらない。
This shitty game is boring.
Means 'the worst' or 'terrible'. Not vulgar, but strong.
Means 'terrible' or 'awful'. Common and not vulgar.
Calling out bullshit, lies, or meaningless talk.
Means 'nonsense' or 'bullshit'. Common and not particularly vulgar.
それはでたらめだ。
That's bullshit.
Literally 'lie'. Can be used to call out something as untrue, like 'bullshit'.
うそつけ！
Bullshit! (You liar!)
Means 'nonsense' or 'worthless talk'. Mild and common.
Can be used as 'bullshit' in very vulgar contexts, often as クソくらえ (eat shit).
クソくらえ！
Eat shit! / Fuck you!
Casually referring to objects, belongings, or abstract things, similar to 'stuff' or 'shit'.
Informal word for 'thing' or 'stuff'. Can be rude if referring to people.
そのやつを取って。
Pass me that shit.
Neutral word for 'thing' or 'stuff'. Not vulgar.
こんなものいらない。
I don't need this shit.
Used for abstract things or matters. 'That shit' as in 'that stuff (situation/event)'.
そんなこと気にするな。
Don't worry about that shit.
The act of shitting.
Literally 'to do a shit'. Vulgar.
犬が道でクソをした。
The dog shit on the street.
Childish/informal 'to poop'. Not as vulgar.
トイレでうんこをする。
I'm gonna take a shit. (informal, not vulgar)
Formal/medical 'to defecate'.
患者は大便をした。
The patient had a bowel movement.
Expressions like 'to give someone shit' meaning to hassle or mistreat.
Means 'to bully' or 'to pick on'. Covers 'giving someone shit' in the sense of harassment.
上司にいじめられた。
My boss gave me shit.
Means 'to complain' or 'to give someone a hard time verbally'.
彼はいつも私に文句を言う。
He's always giving me shit.
Phrases like 'to scare the shit out of someone'.
Idiom meaning 'to be paralyzed with fear', similar to 'scared shitless'.
その音に腰を抜かした。
That sound scared the shit out of me.
Slang for 'to be freaked out' or 'scared shitless'.
The word クソ is extremely vulgar and should be avoided in any polite or formal context. It is much stronger than many English speakers realize. Using it can be highly offensive, especially to strangers or superiors. In many situations, milder alternatives like しまった or ひどい are safer choices.
クソ！
Shit!
クソ is vulgar 'shit', うんこ is childish 'poop', and 大便 is formal 'feces/stool'. Choose based on context: クソ for crude slang among friends, うんこ for talking to children or informal light conversation, 大便 for medical or formal situations.
やつ is a very handy casual word for 'thing' or 'stuff', but be careful: when used to refer to a person, it can sound derogatory. For people, use 人 (ひと) or 方 (かた) instead.
これ、めっちゃいい！
This is good shit! (slang for something excellent)
Uses めっちゃ (very) for emphasis. No direct vulgar equivalent.
ちくしょう！財布を忘れた。
Shit! I forgot my wallet.
Shit! I missed the train.
Shit! I haven't studied for the test.
あの映画は最低だった。
That movie was shit.
Shitty weather, huh.
That's a load of shit.
I was scared shitless in the haunted house.