Translation guide
The concept of betraying trust, loyalty, or a person/group, often through deception or disloyalty. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns like 裏切り (uragiri) for betrayal, verbs like 裏切る (uragiru) for the act, and adjectives like 不誠実 (fuseijitsu) for disloyalty. The most common and direct equivalent is 裏切り.
Expressing the act or instance of betraying someone's trust, a group, or a cause.
The most common and direct noun for 'treachery' or 'betrayal'. It covers personal, political, and romantic betrayal.
彼の裏切りは許せない。
I can't forgive his treachery.
それは完全な裏切りだ。
That's a complete betrayal.
A more formal or literary term for breach of trust or faith, often used in political or business contexts.
彼の背信行為は組織に大きな損害を与えた。
His act of treachery caused great damage to the organization.
The verb form 'to betray'. Use this when describing the action of treachery.
彼は友達を裏切った。
He betrayed his friend.
信頼を裏切るな。
Don't betray trust.
Means 'dishonesty' or 'insincerity', often implying a lack of faithfulness or loyalty. Less direct than 裏切り but can be used for treachery in relationships.
彼の不誠実な態度に失望した。
I was disappointed by his treacherous attitude.
Referring to a specific scheme, conspiracy, or underhanded action that constitutes treachery.
Specifically means 'rebellion' or 'treason', often against a ruler or government. Historical or dramatic.
家臣の謀反が明らかになった。
The vassal's treachery came to light.
Treason or rebellion, often with a connotation of armed uprising. Stronger than 裏切り.
Backroom dealings or underhanded maneuvering, implying treachery through secret plots.
Describing a person's character or nature as deceitful, disloyal, or untrustworthy.
A 'traitor' or 'betrayer'. Used to label a person who commits treachery.
彼は裏切り者だ。
He is a traitor.
Faithlessness, insincerity, or perfidy. Often used in romantic or personal contexts.
A cunning or treacherous plot; wiles. Very literary and rare.
奸計を巡らす。
To hatch a treacherous plot.
裏切り (uragiri) is the everyday word for betrayal, used in personal, romantic, and professional contexts. 背信 (haishin) is more formal and often appears in legal, political, or business settings, emphasizing breach of trust or faith.
English often uses 'treachery' to describe a person's nature (e.g., 'He is full of treachery'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use 裏切り者 (uragirimono) for a traitor, or describe the person as 信用できない (shin'you dekinai, untrustworthy) rather than directly translating the abstract noun.
反逆罪で処刑された。
He was executed for treason.
彼の裏工作でプロジェクトが失敗した。
His treachery caused the project to fail.
Her treachery broke my heart.