放蕩
hōtō
The English word "debauchery" can be translated into Japanese using 放蕩 (hōtō). Wiktionary also lists 漁色 (gyoshoku) and 酒色 (shushoku).
Meaning: debauchery (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 放蕩 | hōtō | |
| 漁色 | gyoshoku | |
| 酒色 | shushoku | [ɕɨ̥ɕo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The term 放蕩 literally conveys the sense of wandering aimlessly or living a dissolute life. The term 酒色 is composed of the characters for 'alcohol' (酒) and 'color/sex' (色).
Which one should you use?
While 放蕩 refers to general dissipation or a dissolute way of life, 酒色 specifically refers to debauchery involving alcohol and women. The term 漁色 is also a way to express this concept.
How do you pronounce it?
hōtō
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the character 漁 in 漁色 means 'to fish', implying that the person is 'fishing' for sexual pleasure.
- The word 放蕩 shares its first character 放 with the word for 'release' or 'set free'. This reflects the original idea of a dissolute person being 'unbound' by social norms or moral constraints.
- The term 酒色 originates from Middle Chinese tsjuw^X srik, showing that the concept of linking alcohol and eroticism was imported as a written compound from ancient China.
Examples in context
- 彼の行動は放蕩そのものだ。His behavior is debauchery personified.
- 彼の放蕩な生活は周囲を驚かせた。Kare no hōtō na seikatsu wa shūi o odorokaseta.His debauchery in his lifestyle surprised those around him.
- 放蕩が原因で、彼は家を追い出された。Hōtō ga gen'in de, kare wa ie o oidasa reta.He was kicked out of the house because of his debauchery.
- かつての放蕩が、今の成功を台無しにしている。Katsute no hōtō ga, ima no seikō o dainashi ni shite iru.Past debauchery is ruining his current success.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Hiroto are discussing a character in a novel.
- 陽葵 Himariこの主人公は放蕩に耽っていますね。Kono shujinkō wa hōtō ni fukette imasu ne.This protagonist is indulging in debauchery, isn't he?
- 大翔 Hirotoええ、本当にだらしない生活です。Ee, hontō ni darashinai seikatsu desu.Yes, it's a truly slovenly life.
- 陽葵 Himariでも、そこが魅力的なんです。Demo, soko ga miryokuteki nan desu.But that's what makes him charming.
- 大翔 Hiroto確かに、不思議な魅力がありますね。Tashika ni, fushigi na miryoku ga arimasu ne.True, he does have a strange charm.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “debauchery” translations and entries 放蕩, 酒色, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 放蕩, 酒色, CC BY-SA 4.0.
