悪
aku[a̠kɯ̟]
The English word 'evil' is translated into Japanese as 悪 (aku).
悪 refers to the concept of evil or badness. It is frequently used as a component in compound words, such as 悪意, which combines 悪 with the character for intention to mean 'malice' or 'evil intent'.
Meaning: morally corrupt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 悪 represents the concept of evil, the adjective 悪い is the standard way to describe something as being 'bad' or 'evil' in a descriptive sentence. The word 邪悪 is a more specific term used when discussing philosophical or ethical matters.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 悪 is often used in compounds, whereas the adjective 悪い is used to describe a quality in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
aku
Did you know?
- The word 悪 is used in the term 悪戯 (itazura), which means 'mischief' or a 'prank'. This shows that the concept of 'evil' can scale down to a harmless joke.
- In Japanese folklore, the concept of 悪 is often personified by the 'Oni', ogres who are not always purely evil but often represent the chaotic and destructive side of nature.
- The adjective 悪い (warui) is frequently used as a social lubricant to apologize for inconveniences, such as saying 'my bad' even when no moral 'evil' has occurred.
Examples in context
- 彼は悪人だ。He is an evil man.This sentence uses 悪 to describe an evil man.Tatoeba #2234729 by bunbuku, translation #303244 by CK
- 金は諸悪の根源。Money is the root of all evil.This sentence uses 悪 to refer to the root of all evil.Tatoeba #179729 by KK_kaku_, translation #18505 by orcrist
- 競争は本来悪いものではない。Competition is not by nature evil.This sentence uses 悪 to describe something that is not inherently evil.Tatoeba #181517 by KK_kaku_, translation #19269 by al_ex_an_der
- 倫理的な悪Moral evil
- 邪悪な計画Evil plan
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are discussing a character in a movie.
- 蓮 Renこの映画の敵は本当に悪だね。Kono eiga no teki wa hontō ni aku da ne.The enemy in this movie is truly evil, isn't he?
- 陽葵 Himariそうね。救いようがないキャラクターだと思う。Sō ne. Sukuiyō ga nai kyarakutā da to omou.I agree. I think he's a character beyond saving.
- 蓮 Ren純粋な悪という感じで怖いよ。Junsuina aku to iu kanji de kowai yo.He's scary because he feels like pure evil.
- 陽葵 Himariでも、そういう役に惹かれることもあるわ。Demo, sōiu yaku ni hikareru koto mo aru wa.But sometimes I find those kinds of roles fascinating.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 悪, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
