How to say "blackmail" in Japanese

• 恐喝きょうかつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbBlackmail or extortion: threatening someone in order to obtain money or other valuables. This is the noun for the act or offense itself, as in a news report about a firm being extorted.
  恐喝きょうかつのその犠牲者ぎせいしゃは、ここ何なん年間ねんかんというもの口止くちどめ料りょうを払はらってきた。だが、今いまでは、それは愚おろかなことだと悟さとり、もうびた一文いちもん払はらわないことに決きめた。↗

  The victim of blackmail has been paying hush money for years, but now he realizes it is foolish, and has decided not to pay a red cent more.
• 脅迫きょうはくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbPrimarily 'threat,' 'menace,' or 'coercion': intimidating someone. It matches 'blackmail' only when the emphasis is on the threat itself rather than on extracting money, so it is often not the word you want.
  脅迫きょうはくのもとになされた約束やくそくは無効むこうだ。↗

  A promise given under a threat is worthless.
• ゆするCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb 'to blackmail': to extort money from someone, or shake them down, e.g. by threatening to expose a secret unless paid. Usually written in kana; its 'shake down' shade can sound colloquial.

Use 恐喝 for blackmail or extortion aimed at getting money, 脅迫 when the emphasis is on the threat or coercion itself, and the verb 「ゆする」 when you need 'to blackmail' someone.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 恐喝きょうかつblackmail
• 脅迫きょうはくthreat
• ゆすりblackmail
• 強請きょうせいblackmail
• たかりextortion
• 脅し取るおどしとるto extort (money)
• ゆするto blackmail