How to Say "Barbarian" in Japanese

野蛮人

yabanjin[ja̠bã̠ɲ̟d͡ʑĩɴ]

The English word "barbarian" is translated into Japanese as 野蛮人 (yabanjin).

野蛮人 is a noun used to describe a cruel, savage or brutal person who lacks pity or humanity.

Meaning: a cruel, savage, brutal person, one without pity or humanity (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

yabanjin

In modern Japanese gaming and fantasy media, you are more likely to encounter the loanword バーバリアン than the native term 野蛮人. This is because the English loanword evokes a sense of a powerful, heroic warrior rather than a person who is simply cruel or subhuman.
While 野蛮人 describes a cruel person, the phrase 野蛮な is often used to describe someone who eats with their hands or lacks table manners.
In certain historical contexts, the term 'yaban' was used by Japanese intellectuals to describe Westerners before Japan fully opened its borders.

彼は野蛮人だ。
Kare wa yabanjin da.
He is a barbarian.
野蛮人のような行為はやめなさい。
Yabanjin no you na koui wa yamenasai.
Stop acting like a barbarian.
その野蛮人は村を襲った。
Sono yabanjin wa mura o osotta.
That barbarian attacked the village.

Misaki and Hiroto are discussing a villain in a movie.

美咲 Misaki

あの敵は本当に野蛮人ね。
Ano teki wa hontou ni yabanjin ne.
That enemy is truly a barbarian, isn't he?
大翔 Hiroto

ああ、全く容赦がない男だ。
Aa, mattaku yousha ga nai otoko da.
Yeah, he is a man with no mercy at all.
美咲 Misaki

見た目が野蛮人そのものだわ。
Mitame ga yabanjin sono mono da wa.
His appearance is the very definition of a barbarian.
大翔 Hiroto

恐ろしいキャラクターだよ。
Osoroshii kyarakutaa da yo.
He is a terrifying character.

Sources

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