Translation guide
A person who dresses in clothing typically associated with the opposite sex. In Japanese, the most common term is 女装家 for male-to-female cross-dressers, but context and intent matter greatly. This guide covers terms for cross-dressers, the act of cross-dressing, and related expressions.
Referring to a person who identifies as male but dresses in women's clothing, often for performance, personal expression, or sexual reasons.
Neutral term for a male who dresses as a woman, often used for professional or habitual cross-dressers. Can be used in media and everyday conversation.
彼は有名な女装家だ。
He is a famous transvestite.
Literally 'female-attire person'. Slightly more formal or written than 女装家, but similar in meaning.
そのバーには女装者が集まる。
Transvestites gather at that bar.
Slang term for a gay man or male cross-dresser. Can be derogatory or self-referential within the community. Use with caution.
Often considered offensive unless used by someone within the community. Avoid in formal settings.
彼はおかまバーで働いている。
He works at a gay/cross-dresser bar.
Referring to a person who identifies as female but dresses in men's clothing.
Neutral term for a female who dresses as a man. Used for performers, historical figures, or personal style.
彼女は男装家として舞台に立つ。
She performs on stage as a male impersonator.
Formal or written term for a female cross-dresser.
歴史的に男装者は少なくなかった。
Historically, there were quite a few female cross-dressers.
Describing the action or practice of a male dressing in women's clothing.
Noun meaning 'cross-dressing as a woman'. Can be used with する to mean 'to cross-dress'.
彼は週末に女装を楽しむ。
He enjoys cross-dressing on weekends.
女装してパーティーに行った。
I went to the party dressed as a woman.
Describing the action or practice of a female dressing in men's clothing.
Noun meaning 'cross-dressing as a man'. Used with する.
彼女は男装して会社に潜入した。
She infiltrated the company disguised as a man.
Referring to cross-dressing as part of theater, drag, or cosplay.
Male actor who plays female roles in Kabuki. A traditional form of cross-dressing performance.
彼は歌舞伎の女形として有名だ。
He is famous as a Kabuki onnagata (female role specialist).
Loanword for 'drag queen'. Used in modern drag culture.
彼はドラァグクイーンとしてショーに出演する。
He performs in shows as a drag queen.
Literary phrase meaning 'a beauty in male attire'. Used for strikingly attractive women dressed as men, often in Takarazuka Revue or fiction.
彼女は男装の麗人と呼ばれている。
She is called a 'beauty in male attire'.
The English word 'transvestite' can sound clinical or outdated. In Japanese, directly translating it as トランスヴェスタイト is rarely used. Instead, use context-appropriate terms like 女装家 or describe the action (女装する).
女装 (josō) is male-to-female cross-dressing; 男装 (dansō) is female-to-male. These are the most common and neutral terms for the act of cross-dressing. Adding 家 (ka) or 者 (sha) turns them into nouns for the person.
To say 'cross-dress', use 女装する or 男装する. Example: 女装してみたい (I want to try cross-dressing as a woman).