How to say "mischief" in Japanese

• いたずらJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe common word for mischief as pranks, tricks and practical jokes; this is what to reach for when mischief means playful naughtiness. It is usually written in kana alone.
  少年しょうねんたちは時々ときどき先生せんせいにいたずらしたものだった。↗

  Sometimes the boys would play a trick on their teacher.
• おいた
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA word from children's language for mischief: a child's prank, a bit of naughtiness by a youngster. It is less common than いたずら, the general word for pranks.
• 悪いたずらわるいたずら
  nounLiterally a 'bad prank': mischief with a malicious or harmful tinge, a nasty trick rather than innocent fun. It is less common than plain いたずら.
• 禍害かがい
  nounThis word means harm, evil or damage; its 'mischief' is that sense of injury or ill effect, not pranks. It is less common and seldom the word you want for playful mischief.
• 凸坊でこぼう
  nounA word for a beetle-browed boy; its 'mischief' means a mischievous youngster — English 'a little mischief' — rather than a prank. Less common, and seldom the word you need.

For mischief as pranks, use 「いたずら」; 「おいた」 is children's language for a child's prank; 「悪いたずら」 is a bad or malicious prank; 禍害 means harm or evil rather than pranks; 凸坊 means a mischievous boy.

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

• いたずらmischief
• おいたmischief
• 悪いたずらわるいたずらmischief
• 禍害かがいevil
• 凸坊でこぼうbeetle-browed boy
• 不善ふぜんevil
• 悪わるbad thing