海賊
kaizoku[ka̠izo̞kɯ̟]
The English phrase 'pirates' is translated into Japanese as 海賊 (kaizoku).
海賊 refers to people who attack and rob ships at sea. You can also use several informal variations to describe things related to the pirate theme: 海賊っぽい means 'pirate-like', 海賊風 means 'pirate-style' or 'pirate-themed' and 海賊気分 refers to 'feeling like a pirate' or being 'in a pirate mood'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 海賊 is composed of the characters for 'sea' (海) and 'thief/robber' (賊), literally meaning 'sea robber'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 海賊 is used for both singular and plural forms, as Japanese nouns do not typically change to indicate number.
How do you pronounce it?
kaizoku
Did you know?
- The word 海賊 is also used in modern Japanese to describe 'software piracy' or the illegal copying of digital media.
- In Japan, the 'golden age' of 海賊 is often associated with the Wokou, who operated across the East China Sea between the 3rd and 16th centuries.
- In Japanese pop culture, the term 海賊 is most famously associated with the massive 'One Piece' franchise, where 'pirates' are often depicted as heroes or seekers of freedom rather than mere criminals.
Examples in context
- 海賊ごっこしようぜ。Let's pretend we're pirates.This sentence is useful for suggesting a game of pretend using 海賊.Tatoeba #11349953 by bunbuku, translation #8023685 by CK
- メアリーは海賊に拉致された。Mary was kidnapped by pirates.This sentence describes someone being kidnapped by 海賊.Tatoeba #2432271 by tommy_san, translation #1394294 by Spamster
- 海賊は降伏するしかなかった。The pirates had no choice but to surrender.This sentence describes a situation where 海賊 had to surrender.Tatoeba #11262149 by bunbuku, translation #22159 by CK
- 海賊は危険な冒険者です。Pirates are dangerous adventurers.
- 彼のコスチュームは海賊っぽくてかっこいい！His costume looks pirate-like and cool!
- 東京湾でソマリに立ち向かう勇敢な海賊団が現れた。A brave pirate crew appeared to confront the Somali pirates in Tokyo Bay.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 陽太 Yotaこの映画の海賊はかっこいいな。Kono eiga no kaizoku wa kakkoii na.The pirates in this movie are cool.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、やってることはひどいよね。Demo, yatteru koto wa hidoi yo ne.But what they're doing is terrible.
- 陽太 Yota確かに。本当の海賊は怖そうだよ。Tashika ni. Hontō no kaizoku wa kowasō da yo.True. Real pirates seem scary.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、絶対に出会いたくないね。Un, zettai ni deaityakunai ne.Yeah, I definitely wouldn't want to meet them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 海賊, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
