How to say "vice" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 悪徳あくとくnounVice as moral corruption: dishonest, unscrupulous conduct, the opposite of virtue. The natural choice when condemning corrupt business or official behavior as immoral.
- 罪悪ざいあくnounVice as sin: an act regarded as morally evil or wicked, not merely a bad habit. Suits moral or religious condemnation, where the deed is treated as sinful.
- 不徳ふとくna-adjective, nounVice as a person's lack of virtue: moral failing or depravity in someone's character or conduct. Emphasizes the absence of virtue in the person rather than any particular deed.
- 悪事あくじnounEvil deeds or wrongdoing — 'vice' only in the sense of wicked acts actually committed. Seldom the word for vice as a habit or character trait; think concrete misdeeds.
- 悪習あくしゅうnounVice as a bad habit or evil practice: a harmful custom or behavior pattern rather than a single wicked deed. Use it for vice in the habitual, practice sense.
Choose 悪徳 for moral corruption or unscrupulousness, 罪悪 for sin and wickedness, 不徳 for a person's lack of virtue, 悪習 for bad habits or customs, and 悪事 only for concrete evil deeds.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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