Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 裏切り者 | uragirimono | [ɯ̟ɾa̠ɡʲiɾʲimo̞no̞] (narrow) |
| 売国奴 | baikokudo | [ba̠iko̞kɯ̟do̞] (narrow) |
| 非国民 | hikokumin | |
| 国賊 | kokuzoku | [ko̞kɯ̟zo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 逆賊 | gyakuzoku | [ɡʲa̠kɯ̟zo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term is used to describe someone who betrays others.
Which one should you use?
While 裏切り者 is a general term for a betrayer, other words carry specific connotations. 売国奴 specifically refers to a traitor who sells out their country for personal gain. 非国民 is used to label someone as unpatriotic or 'not a true citizen,' often used as a harsh social insult rather than a literal description of treason. 国賊 is a very heavy, formal and dramatic term often used in historical contexts or political rhetoric to describe a person who is an enemy of the state. Finally, 逆賊 is a formal or literary term used to describe a rebel or someone who rises up against authority/the throne.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
逆賊 is a formal or literary term. 国賊 is a very heavy, formal and dramatic term often used in historical contexts or political rhetoric. In contrast, 裏切り野郎 has a stronger and more derogatory tone used to express anger or frustration.
How do you pronounce it?
uragirimono
Did you know?
- The word 裏切り comes from 裏 meaning 'back' or 'reverse side' and 切る meaning 'to cut'. It literally evokes the image of cutting someone from behind.
- The term 非国民 was heavily utilized by the state during the Imperial era to dehumanize those who did not adhere to wartime ideologies.
- In highly formal historical texts, 国賊 is treated as a crime against the 'kokutai' or national essence, making it a spiritual betrayal rather than just a political one.
Examples in context
- トムの裏切り者！Tom, you traitor!This sentence is useful for addressing someone directly as a traitor using 裏切り者.Tatoeba #2760636 by tommy_san, translation #2771737 by WestofEden
- 彼は裏切り者になった。He turned traitor.This sentence shows how to describe the act of someone becoming a traitor using 裏切り者.Tatoeba #99067 by bunbuku, translation #304632 by CK
- あの新入りは裏切り者だThat new person is a traitorThis sentence is useful for identifying a specific person as a traitor using 裏切り者.
- 裏切り者は許されない。Traitors cannot be forgiven.
- あいつは裏切り野郎だ！That guy is a traitor!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a character in a movie.
- 陽葵 Himariこの映画の犯人は誰だと思う？Kono eiga no hannin wa dare da to omou?Who do you think the culprit is in this movie?
- 健太 Kentaきっと、あの親友が裏切り者だよ。Kitto, ano shinyū ga uragirimono da yo.I bet that best friend is the traitor.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当に？信じられない！E, hontō ni? Shinjirarenai!What, really? I can't believe it!
- 健太 Kenta伏線がたくさんあったから間違いないよ。Fukusen ga takusan atta kara machigainai yo.There were plenty of clues, so I'm sure.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “traitor” translations and entries 裏切り者, 売国奴, 非国民, 国賊, 逆賊, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
