How to say "bum" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

浮浪者ふろうしゃCommon
nounCovers 'bum' as a noun meaning a homeless person, vagrant, or tramp — someone living on the streets. It refers to the person themselves, not to any lazy or freeloading behavior.
浮浪者ふろうしゃは教会きょうかいでの感謝祭かんしゃさいの夕食ゆうしょくをがつがつ食たべた。↗
The tramp gobbled down the Thanksgiving dinner served at the church.
たかるCommon
godan verb, intransitive verbCovers the verb 'to bum', meaning to sponge or scrounge off someone or pester them for something, as in bumming money or cigarettes. Note that it is usually written in kana alone.
彼かれは働はたらかないで親類しんるいにたかることばかり考かんがえている。↗
He doesn't work, but only thinks of sponging off his relatives.

Use 浮浪者 for 'bum' meaning a homeless vagrant, and 「たかる」 for the verb 'to bum', i.e. sponging or scrounging something off someone.

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

Japanese equivalents

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