How to say "seduce" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 丸め込むまるめこむgodan verb, transitive verbCovers 'seduce' in the sense of winning someone over through persistent, flattering talk: coaxing, wheedling and cajoling until they come round, rather than any romantic or sexual advance.
- 丸めるまるめるichidan verb, transitive verbA marginal match: this verb means to roll something into a ball or explain something away, and the coaxing sense is really covered by 丸め込む. Seldom the word you want for 'seduce'.
- 惑わすまどわすgodan verb, transitive verbSeduce as in beguile: leading someone astray with sweet words or deceptive appearances so that their judgment is clouded. Fits being tempted or misled rather than courted.
- 口説くくどくgodan verb, transitive verbThe word for seduction in the romantic or sexual sense: making advances to someone, wooing them, trying to talk them into a relationship — what 'picking someone up' describes.それ、私を口説いてるの？↗Are you making a pass at me?
- 誘うさそうgodan verb, transitive verbThe general verb for inviting or tempting someone to do something; as 'seduce' it covers the mild sense of enticing or luring a person along, without the sustained wooing that 口説く implies.
Use 「口説く」 for romantic or sexual seduction, 「誘う」 for simply enticing or inviting someone, 「惑わす」 for beguiling or leading someone astray, and 「丸め込む」 for coaxing or wheedling someone round; 「丸める」 is a marginal choice for this sense.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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