Translation guide
How to express 'telling a lie' in Japanese, from casual to formal, including common phrases and warnings about literal translations.
The most common and neutral way to say 'tell a lie' in Japanese.
The standard, neutral phrase for 'tell a lie'. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
彼はよく嘘をつく。
He often tells lies.
嘘をついてはいけません。
You must not tell lies.
Also means 'tell a lie', but slightly less common than 嘘をつく. Can sound a bit more direct or childish.
嘘を言わないで。
Don't tell lies.
Informal ways to say someone is lying or to call out a lie.
Noun meaning 'liar'. Often used to accuse someone of lying, like 'You liar!'.
嘘つき！
Liar!
Exclamation meaning 'That's a lie!' or 'No way!'. Used to express disbelief.
え、嘘だ！
What? That's a lie!
Slang for 'a complete lie' or 'total BS'. Stronger and more emphatic than 嘘.
Expressions suitable for formal situations, such as business or official statements.
Formal phrase meaning 'to make a false statement'. Used in legal or official contexts.
虚偽の申告をすると罰せられます。
Making a false statement will be punished.
Literary/formal expression for 'to state a falsehood'. Often used in written language.
彼は偽りを述べた。
He stated a falsehood.
Expressions for harmless or social lies, like 'white lie'.
A 'white lie' or 'expedient lie', often used in the phrase 嘘も方便 (lies can be expedient).
時には嘘も方便だ。
Sometimes a lie is expedient.
Literally 'cute lie', meaning a harmless or endearing lie.
それは可愛い嘘だね。
That's a cute little lie.
Expressions for major lies, fraud, or deception.
Fraud, swindle. Used for criminal deception, not everyday lies.
彼は詐欺で逮捕された。
He was arrested for fraud.
A falsehood, fabrication. More literary and formal.
English uses 'tell a lie', but Japanese uses 嘘をつく (literally 'to attach a lie'). Avoid literal translations like 嘘を話す or 嘘を伝える, which sound unnatural.
嘘をつく
tell a lie
嘘をつく is the most common and natural. 嘘を言う is also correct but can sound slightly more direct or childish. In most situations, 嘘をつく is preferred.
それ、嘘っぱちだよ。
That's a total lie.
His words were falsehoods.