How to say "spy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers both a spy as a person and the act of spying; the general term you reach for in most contexts, such as news stories or novels about espionage.
- 工作員こうさくいんnounA covert operative — an agent working under cover, at times an agent provocateur stirring up trouble; it names the person, not the act of spying.
- 探りさぐりnounMeans the act of probing or sounding something out, such as another person's intentions, or a probe as an instrument; for a person who spies it is marginal — seldom the word you want.
- 隠密おんみつnounA historical term for a spy in the service of a daimyo, shogun, or similar lord; use it for feudal-era secret agents, as in period fiction, not for present-day espionage.
- nounA derogatory word for an informer — a rat or snitch who betrays his own side; as a rendering of 'spy' it fits only this sense, not a professional covert agent.
「スパイ」 is the all-purpose word for a spy or spying; 工作員 a covert operative or agent provocateur; 隠密 a historical term for a daimyo's or shogun's agent; 「探り」 means probing, not a person; 「いぬ」 a derogatory informer.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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