How to Say "Betrayal" in Japanese

裏切り

uragiri[ɯ̟ɾa̠ɡʲiɾʲi]

The English phrase betrayal is translated into Japanese as 裏切り (uragiri).

裏切り is a noun that refers to the act of breaking trust or being disloyal to a person or group.

How do you pronounce it?

uragiri

The word 裏切り is literally composed of the words for 'back' and 'to cut'.
In Japanese culture, the concept of 裏切り is often contrasted with 義理 'giri', a complex system of social and moral obligation that binds people together.
The character 裏 used in 裏切り also refers to the 'reverse' or 'inside' of a garment. This suggests that betrayal is an act that happens on the hidden, internal side of a person's character.

彼女の微笑みの裏には裏切りがある。
Behind her smile lies betrayal.
This sentence shows how to describe betrayal being hidden behind an outward appearance using 裏切り.
Tatoeba #5748775 by daifons, translation #5748467 by Firesoul7
信頼していた友人の裏切りに愕然とした。
I was shocked at the betrayal of a friend I trusted.
This sentence illustrates the feeling of shock caused by the 裏切り of a trusted friend.
Tatoeba #13056168 by larsonnoah, translation #13056170 by larsonnoah
このような裏切り行為を繰り返すことは組織の信用を崩すものです。
Repeating such acts of betrayal undermines the organization's trust.
友達に裏切られて、本当にショックだよ。
I feel really shocked because my friend betrayed me.
裏切りは決して許されない。
Uragiri wa kesshite yurusarenai.
Betrayal is never forgiven.

Two friends are discussing a movie plot.

大翔 Hiroto

この映画の展開は意外だったね。
Kono eiga no tenkai wa igai datta ne.
The plot of this movie was unexpected, wasn't it?
陽葵 Himari

まさか親友の裏切りがあるなんて。
Masaka shin'yū no uragiri ga aru nante.
I can't believe there was a betrayal by his best friend.
大翔 Hiroto

あそこで衝撃を受けたよ。
Asoko de shōgeki o uketa yo.
I was shocked at that part.
陽葵 Himari

本当に悲しい結末だったね。
Hontō ni kanashii ketsumatsu datta ne.
It really was a sad ending.

Sources

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