Translation guide
The English word 'sly' describes someone who is clever in a secretive or dishonest way, often to achieve their own goals. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives and phrases that capture different nuances of cunning, sneakiness, and underhandedness.
Describing a person who uses clever but dishonest methods to get what they want, often with a sense of malice or selfishness.
A formal and strong word for 'sly' or 'cunning', often used in serious contexts like describing a villain or a deceitful plan. It implies a high level of craftiness and is usually negative.
彼は狡猾な手口で金をだまし取った。
He swindled money using a sly method.
A common, colloquial adjective meaning 'sly' or 'crafty' in a negative sense. It combines 'ずるい' (unfair/sneaky) and '賢い' (clever), emphasizing selfish cunning.
あの子はずる賢くて、いつも宿題を写している。
That kid is sly and always copies homework.
Similar to ずる賢い but with a stronger implication of malice ('悪' means bad/evil). It describes someone who is clever in a wicked way.
悪賢い政治家が法律の抜け穴を利用している。
Sly politicians are exploiting legal loopholes.
A somewhat literary or old-fashioned term meaning 'sly' or 'crafty' in a petty, irritating way. It often implies that the person's cleverness is shallow or annoying.
小賢しい真似をするな。
Don't try to be sly.
Describing actions or behavior that are done secretly and dishonestly, often to avoid being caught or to gain an unfair advantage.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'sneakily' or 'furtively'. It describes moving or acting in a secretive, sly manner, often with a sense of guilt.
彼はこそこそと部屋を抜け出した。
He slyly slipped out of the room.
A noun or na-adjective meaning 'sly and malicious' or 'underhanded'. It implies a dark, sneaky nastiness, often used for bullying or harassment.
Katakana version of こそこそ, often used in manga or informal writing for emphasis. Same meaning.
Describing someone who is clever and perceptive in a way that is not necessarily dishonest, but can be seen as sly in a more admiring or neutral tone.
An adjective meaning 'shrewd', 'sharp', or 'sly' in the sense of not missing any opportunity for one's own benefit. It can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
彼は抜け目ない商人だ。
He is a sly merchant.
An adverb meaning 'shrewdly' or 'slyly' in a somewhat cheeky but often admirable way. It implies getting what one wants without being openly aggressive.
彼女はちゃっかり一番いい席を取った。
She slyly took the best seat.
A na-adjective meaning 'shrewd', 'calculating', or 'sly' in a tough, resilient way. It often describes someone who is strong-willed and cunning.
Describing a facial expression that suggests slyness, such as a smirk or a knowing grin.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning 'grinning slyly' or 'smirking'. It often implies a self-satisfied or suggestive smile.
彼は何か企んでいるようににやにやしていた。
He was grinning slyly as if he was plotting something.
A noun meaning 'faint smile' or 'sly grin'. It describes a subtle, often unsettling smile that hints at hidden intentions.
A noun meaning 'sneer' or 'sly, mocking smile'. It is more openly contemptuous than 薄笑い.
English 'sly' covers a range of nuances from playful cunning to malicious deceit. Japanese has no single exact equivalent; choose the word that matches the specific shade of meaning. Using 狡猾 for a child's prank would sound overly dramatic, while ずる賢い for a corporate fraud might be too mild.
彼は狡猾な犯罪者だ。
He is a sly criminal. (appropriate)
彼はずる賢い子供だ。
He is a sly kid. (appropriate)
ずる賢い is everyday language for crafty, selfish behavior. 狡猾 is more formal and intense, often used in news or literature for calculated, malicious cunning. ずる賢い can be used for a cheating classmate; 狡猾 fits a con artist or a scheming politician.
ずる賢いやり方で試験に合格した。
He passed the exam by sly means.
狡猾な詐欺師が高齢者を狙っている。
A sly con artist is targeting the elderly.
陰湿ないじめが問題になっている。
Sly bullying has become a problem.
コソコソするな！
Don't be sly!
彼はしたたかな交渉術で契約を勝ち取った。
He won the contract with sly negotiation tactics.
彼の口元に薄笑いが浮かんだ。
A sly smile appeared on his lips.
彼は私の失敗を冷笑した。
He gave a sly smile at my failure.