Translation guide
Describes a person who appears harmless or friendly but is actually dangerous, deceitful, or has malicious intent. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through idiomatic phrases, proverbs, or descriptive language rather than a single fixed equivalent.
To describe someone who pretends to be gentle or innocent while actually being dangerous or evil.
Literally 'to wear a cat', meaning to feign innocence or hide one's true nature. Commonly used for someone acting meek or harmless while concealing their real personality or intentions.
彼は普段は猫をかぶっているけど、実はとても腹黒いんだ。
He usually acts all innocent, but he's actually really cunning.
A direct translation of the English idiom. It is understood in Japanese, especially in literary or formal contexts, but is less common in everyday speech.
彼は羊の皮をかぶった狼だ。信用してはいけない。
He is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Don't trust him.
Means 'to have a good outward appearance' or 'to seem nice on the surface'. Implies that the person's true character is different from their pleasant facade.
あの人は外面がいいから、みんな騙されるんだ。
That person seems so nice on the surface, so everyone gets fooled.
Means 'hypocrite'. It focuses on the discrepancy between one's stated morals and actual behavior, rather than the predatory aspect of a wolf in sheep's clothing.
猫をかぶる is a common, casual verb phrase used in daily conversation to describe someone hiding their true nature. 羊の皮をかぶった狼 is a direct translation of the English idiom and is more literary or dramatic. For most everyday situations, 猫をかぶる is the better choice.
あの新人、猫をかぶってるよね。
That new guy is putting on an innocent act, isn't he?
While 羊の皮をかぶった狼 is correct, using it in casual conversation may sound overly dramatic or bookish. Stick to 猫をかぶる or descriptive phrases like 外面がいい for natural, everyday Japanese.
彼は偽善者だ。口ではいいことを言うけど、行動は全く違う。
He's a hypocrite. He says nice things, but his actions are completely different.