Translation guide
The use of deception or cunning to achieve a goal, often in a playful or dishonest way.
To describe dishonest or unfair methods used to gain an advantage.
A general term for deception, cheating, or covering up the truth. Often used for minor dishonest acts.
彼はごまかしで試験に合格した。
He passed the exam through trickery.
Refers to swindling or fraud, often in a more deliberate or elaborate scheme.
その投資話はペテンだった。
That investment deal was trickery.
A literary or formal term for deception or betrayal. Less common in everyday speech.
彼の欺きに皆が驚いた。
Everyone was surprised by his trickery.
To describe clever but often dishonest methods, emphasizing craftiness.
The quality of being sly or cunning, often with a negative connotation of selfish cleverness.
彼のずる賢さには呆れる。
I'm amazed at his trickery.
A more formal term for cunning or craftiness, often used in written contexts.
彼の狡猾さには注意が必要だ。
You need to be careful of his trickery.
To describe light-hearted deception, like practical jokes or mischief.
Common word for mischief, pranks, or playful tricks. Not necessarily malicious.
子供のいたずらに笑った。
I laughed at the child's trickery.
Kanji form of いたずら, often used in writing. Same meaning but can feel slightly more formal.
To refer to sleight of hand or magical deception for entertainment.
Specifically refers to magic tricks or sleight of hand performed as entertainment.
彼は手品で観客を驚かせた。
He amazed the audience with his trickery.
A more formal or technical term for magic tricks, often used in stage magic contexts.
ごまかし is a broad term for any kind of deception or fudging, often used in daily life (e.g., cheating on a test, hiding a mistake). ペテン implies a more elaborate scheme or swindle, like a con artist's trick.
彼はごまかしでお金を払わなかった。
He avoided paying through trickery.
あのセールスマンはペテン師だ。
That salesman is a trickster.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all uses of 'trickery'. Choose the word based on context: ごまかし for general deception, いたずら for pranks, 手品 for magic tricks. Using the wrong word can sound unnatural.
彼は悪戯が好きだ。
He likes trickery.
I went to see a trickery show.