How to say "flirt" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 男殺しおとこごろしnounA noun for a woman whose charm is 'deadly' to men — a temptress, minx or coquette. It names the person, not the act of flirting: a strikingly seductive woman who leaves men smitten.
- 男たらしおとこたらしnounA woman who habitually teases or toys with men, leading them on without serious intent — a 'tease' or 'man-eater'. It denotes such a woman, not the act of flirting itself.
- あばずれ女あばずれおんなnounA pejorative for a brazen, shameless woman — a vamp or minx. For an ordinary flirt it is seldom the word you want: it brands the woman as immodest and forward rather than charmingly playful.
- 浮気男うわきおとこnounA man given to infidelity — a cheating man. Its 'flirt' sense is the philanderer with a wandering eye, not playful banter; think of complaints about an unfaithful boyfriend or husband.
- godan verb, intransitive verbA verb, but for physical affection, not verbal flirting: to make out, neck or canoodle. Use it when a couple is cuddling and kissing, not when someone is playfully chatting another up.
「いちゃつく」 is the only verb, and it means physical canoodling rather than verbal flirting; the rest are nouns for people — a temptress, a woman who teases men, a brazen vamp, a cheating man — so match person and tone.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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