凶悪犯人
kyōaku hannin[kʲo̞ːa̠kɯ̟ hã̠ɲ̟ːĩɴ]
The English word 'thug' can be translated into Japanese using several terms depending on the specific context. The default form is 凶悪犯人 (kyōaku hannin). Wiktionary also lists チンピラ (chinpira) and サグ (sagu).
Meaning: someone who treats others violently or roughly (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 凶悪犯人 | kyōaku hannin | [kʲo̞ːa̠kɯ̟ hã̠ɲ̟ːĩɴ] (narrow) |
| チンピラ | chinpira | [t͡ɕĩmpʲiɾa̠] (narrow) |
| サグ | sagu |
Japanese uses different terms to describe someone who treats others violently or roughly. チンピラ describes a low-level hoodlum or street thug who lacks real power or organization. サグ is a slang term derived from the English word 'thug' and is used within specific subcultures or hip-hop contexts. Additionally, the term ヤンキー is used to describe delinquents or individuals associated with Bosozoku motorcycle gangs.
Which one should you use?
チンピラ is specifically for a small-time thug or someone acting like a tough guy without being truly significant. サグ is a specialized slang term from hip-hop culture.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
チンピラ is a colloquial term used to describe someone insignificant. サグ is considered slang.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōaku hannin
Did you know?
- The word チンピラ may have originated from the combination of the slang prefix 'chin', meaning 'small', and the word 'hira', meaning 'a piece or scrap of paper'.
- The word 犯人 in the term 凶悪犯人 is used for the person who committed a crime, but it is also the standard word for 'culprit' in mystery novels.
- While チンピラ is used for thugs today, its earliest recorded uses in the early 1900s specifically referred to young pickpockets.
Examples in context
- チンピラがコンビニの店員をぶちのめした。The small thug beat up the convenience store employee.This sentence demonstrates the use of チンピラ.Tatoeba #917778 by Scott, translation #917779 by Scott
- あのグループは地元でヤンキーとして有名だ。That group is famous locally as thugs/delinquents.
Example conversation
Talking about a news report on TV.
- 大翔 Hirotoニュースを見た？凶悪犯人が逃げてるらしいよ。Nyūsu o mita? Kyōakuhannin ga nigeteru rashii yo.Did you see the news? Apparently a violent thug is on the run.
- 美咲 Misaki本当？外に出るのが怖くなるね。Hontō? Soto ni deru no ga kowaku naru ne.Really? That makes me scared to go outside.
- 大翔 Hiroto十分注意して行動しよう。Jūbun chūi shite kōdō shiyō.Let's be very careful.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね。戸締まりをしっかりしよう。Sō da ne. Tojimari o shikkari shiyō.You're right. Let's make sure the doors are locked.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thug” translations and entries 凶悪犯人, チンピラ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries チンピラ, 凶悪犯人, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
