腹黒い
haraguroi[ha̠ɾa̠ɡɯ̟ɾo̞i]
The Japanese word for "conniving" is 腹黒い (haraguroi).
腹黒い is used to describe a person who appears kind or innocent on the outside but is actually calculating, malicious or plotting for their own benefit. It carries the sense of being "black-hearted."
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 腹, meaning 'belly' or 'stomach' and 黒い, meaning 'black'.
Which one should you use?
While 腹黒い describes a person's character as being secretly plotting, other terms offer different nuances. 陰湿 describes someone who is deceitful and cunning, and 悪意のある is used to emphasize the malicious intent behind someone's actions. ずるい describes someone who is crafty or sly.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an i-adjective, 腹黒い can be used to modify a noun by adding と (to) or に (ni) depending on the sentence structure or simply as a predicate.
How do you pronounce it?
haraguroi
Did you know?
- Japanese has many idioms involving the 'belly', such as 腹を割る which means to 'cut open the belly' to speak honestly and reveal your true self.
- In Japanese culture, the 'belly' or 腹 is traditionally considered the physical seat of one's true emotions and intentions, rather than the heart.
- While 腹黒い refers to internal darkness, the word 陰湿 implies a 'damp' or 'clammy' kind of malice, often associated with bullying in the shadows.
Examples in context
- 彼女は陰湿な策謀を巡らしている。She is involved in conniving schemes.
- あの人は悪賢いやり方で人を騙す。That person deceives others with their cunning ways.
- 彼は腹黒い性格をしている。Kare wa haraguroi seikaku o shite iru.He has a conniving personality.
- あの人は見た目はいいが、実は腹黒い。Ano hito wa mitame wa ii ga, jitsu wa haraguroi.That person looks good, but is actually conniving.
- 腹黒いやり方で成功するのは嫌いだ。Haraguroi yarikata de seikou suru no wa kirai da.I hate succeeding through conniving methods.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a coworker's true nature.
- 陽葵 Himariあの人は、かなり腹黒いよね。Ano hito wa, kanari haraguroi yo ne.That person is quite conniving, isn't he?
- 蓮 Ren確かに、裏で色々やってるみたいだよ。Tashika ni, ura de iroiro yatteru mitai da yo.True, it seems like he's doing various things behind the scenes.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮君も気をつけたほうがいいよ。Ren-kun mo ki o tsuketa hou ga ii yo.Ren, you should be careful too.
- 蓮 Ren分かっているよ、ありがとう。Wakatte iru yo, arigatou.I know, thanks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 腹黒い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
