How to say "savage" in Japanese

• 野蛮やばんCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'savage' in the sense of barbaric or uncivilized: behavior, customs, or acts of violence regarded as lacking civilization or refinement. Typical context: condemning an atrocity or custom as barbaric.
  まだ野蛮やばんな国くにがある。↗

  There are still barbarous nations.
• 残虐ざんぎゃくCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'savage' as cruel and brutal: acts or treatment marked by cruelty that inflicts suffering, such as savage violence or atrocities. Choose it when the point is merciless cruelty rather than ferocity.
  警官けいかんたちはその残虐ざんぎゃくな殺人さつじん事件じけんの手掛てがかりを捜さがしている。↗

  The cops are searching for clues to the cruel murder.
• 凶暴きょうぼうCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'savage' as ferocious: a fierce, violent disposition, typically of animals or people. Typical context: a dangerous dog, or a person whose violence is wild and uncontrolled.
• 未開みかいJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCovers 'savage' meaning uncivilized or primitive: societies, peoples, or ages regarded as not yet civilized. It names a state of development rather than behavior, unlike 野蛮, which stresses barbarity.
  その当時とうじ、そこには未開みかい民族みんぞくが住すんでいた。↗

  A savage tribe lived there in those days.

For 'savage' meaning uncivilized, choose between 野蛮 (barbaric behavior or customs) and 未開 (primitive, not yet civilized); for 'savage' meaning cruel or ferocious, 残虐 stresses cruel brutality in acts, while 凶暴 describes a ferocious, violent nature.

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

• 野蛮やばんsavage
• 残虐ざんぎゃくcruel
• 凶暴きょうぼうferocious
• 未開みかいuncivilized
• 荒ぶるあらぶるsavage
• 鬼畜きちくbrute
• 蛮的ばんてきsavage
• 蛮人ばんじんsavage
• 猛悪もうあくsavage
• 殺伐さつばつbrutal (atmosphere, society, etc.)
• 夷人いじんbarbarian
• 野蛮人やばんじんbarbarian
• 剽悍ひょうかんfierce
• 未開人みかいじんbarbarian
• 獰猛どうもうferocious