How to say "slave" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 奴隷どれいno-adjectiveThe general word for a slave in the literal sense: a person owned by and forced to work for another, as in historical slavery; it can also mean a servant.
- nounCovers only the technical sense: a device that is controlled by, or subordinate to, another device, as in a master–slave configuration in computing or electronics.
- 虜とりこnounA figurative use only: a slave to one's lust or a victim of love, i.e. someone captivated or overpowered by a feeling or desire; it is not the word for literal slaves.
Use 奴隷 for a literal slave or servant, 「スレーブ」 for a slave device in technical contexts, and 虜 for someone figuratively enslaved, as by love or lust.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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