Translation guide
The English word "slut" is a highly offensive, gendered insult primarily used to criticize women for perceived sexual promiscuity. Japanese has no single direct equivalent that carries the same weight and nuance. The best translation depends heavily on context, intent, and the relationship between speakers. This guide covers common Japanese expressions ranging from direct insults to descriptive terms, with strong warnings about usage and cultural differences.
To insult a woman by calling her sexually promiscuous in a crude, offensive way.
Extremely vulgar slang. Combines 'yaru' (to do/fuck) and 'man' (cunt). Highly offensive; used mainly by young men or in very rough speech. Not to be used lightly.
This word is deeply misogynistic and can cause serious offense. Avoid using it unless you fully understand the context and consequences.
あの女、ヤリマンだって。
I heard that woman is a slut.
Loanword from English 'bitch', but in Japanese it primarily means 'slut' or 'promiscuous woman'. Less vulgar than ヤリマン but still derogatory. Common in casual conversation among young people.
While common, it is still an insult. Do not use it to describe someone unless you intend to be offensive.
A somewhat dated, harsh term for a promiscuous or shameless woman. Conveys a sense of being 'worn out' or 'used'. Not commonly used in modern casual speech but appears in fiction or dramatic contexts.
To describe a woman who has many sexual partners, often with a negative moral judgment, but without using extreme vulgarity.
Literally 'immoral/loose woman'. A standard, somewhat old-fashioned way to describe a promiscuous woman. It carries a clear negative judgment but is not slangy or vulgar.
彼は彼女をふしだらな女だと言った。
He called her a loose woman.
Means 'slovenly' or 'loose' in a broader sense, but can imply sexual looseness depending on context. Less direct than ふしだら.
あんなだらしない女と付き合うな。
Don't get involved with a loose woman like that.
Literally 'play person', often used for a playboy or a womanizer, but can be applied to women as 'a woman who plays around'. It implies promiscuity without the extreme vulgarity of ヤリマン.
To hint at someone being promiscuous without using a direct insult, often in gossip or polite conversation.
Literally 'has bad habits with men'. A common euphemism implying a woman is promiscuous or has poor taste in men. Often used in gossip.
彼女、男癖が悪いって噂だよ。
Rumor has it she gets around a lot.
Literally 'loose in the crotch'. A vulgar but common euphemism for a woman who easily has sex. Crude, but not as directly insulting as ヤリマン.
Still very crude and offensive. Use only in very informal, rough male speech.
あの子、股が緩いから気をつけろ。
That girl is easy, so be careful.
Literally 'sleeps with anyone'. A direct but not necessarily vulgar description. Can be used factually or judgmentally.
彼女は誰とでも寝るって本当？
Is it true she sleeps with anyone?
To use 'slut' in a playful, ironic, or self-empowering way, similar to some English reclamation contexts.
In some young female friend groups, ビッチ can be used jokingly or ironically, similar to how 'bitch' or 'slut' might be reclaimed in English. Context and tone are crucial.
This usage is highly context-dependent and can easily be misinterpreted. Only use if you are very familiar with the group's dynamics.
私、昨日また違う人と…マジビッチだよねー（笑）
I hooked up with another guy yesterday... I'm such a slut lol.
Literally 'lewd woman', often used in pornographic contexts to mean a sexually aggressive woman. In some niche communities, it can be used playfully, but it is primarily a porn term.
Strongly associated with pornography. Using it in general conversation will likely be seen as creepy or inappropriate.
彼女、実は痴女なんだって。
Apparently she's a real nympho.
Japanese culture tends to be less direct about sexual insults compared to English. Words like 'slut' carry a heavy misogynistic load in English, and while Japanese has equivalents, the social consequences and frequency of use differ. Publicly shaming a woman for her sexual behavior is less common in mainstream Japanese discourse, though it certainly exists in certain subcultures and media. Be aware that using these terms can mark you as extremely rude or aggressive.
日本では、女性を「ヤリマン」と呼ぶのは非常に失礼で、場合によっては危険です。
In Japan, calling a woman 'yariman' is extremely rude and potentially dangerous.
ヤリマン is more vulgar and explicitly sexual than ビッチ. ビッチ is a loanword that has been softened somewhat through common use, but it remains an insult. ヤリマン is closer to 'cunt' in its level of offensiveness, while ビッチ is closer to 'slut' or 'whore' in everyday English. Neither should be used in polite company.
「ビッチ」はまだ冗談で使えることがあるが、「ヤリマン」はほぼ常に攻撃的だ。
'Bitchi' can sometimes be used jokingly, but 'yariman' is almost always aggressive.
If you need to describe someone's promiscuity without being vulgar, use euphemisms like 男癖が悪い or descriptive phrases like 誰とでも寝る. If you want to quote or understand an insult in media, ビッチ is the most common. Reserve ヤリマン for contexts where extreme vulgarity is intended. When in doubt, avoid direct insults entirely.
直接的な侮辱を避けたいなら、「男癖が悪い」が無難です。
If you want to avoid direct insults, 'otokoguse ga warui' is a safer choice.
彼女、ちょっとビッチっぽいよね。
She seems kind of slutty, doesn't she?
あのあばずれがまた男を引っかけた。
That slut hooked another man again.
More commonly used for men. When used for a woman, it may sound slightly unusual or euphemistic.
彼女は遊び人だから、本気にしないほうがいい。
She's a player, so you shouldn't take her seriously.