Translation and Meaning of: 悪者 - warumono

The word 「悪者」, read as "warumono", is composed of two kanji: 「悪」 (waru), which means "bad" or "evil", and 「者」 (mono), which refers to "person" or "individual". This combination is used to designate someone who is considered a "bad person" or "villain". In the Japanese linguistic context, compound terms like this are quite common and often convey more than their direct translations.

The etymology of 「悪者」 reflects well the dual nature of Japanese kanjis, where 「悪」 carries the meaning of wickedness or immorality and is associated with negative character judgments, while 「者」 is often used to describe a function or role played by a person in society. Thus, 「悪者」 not only describes the person as malicious but also implies that this is their recognized or perceived role in a given context.

Historically, the use of 「悪者」 is present in Japanese traditional literature and theater, such as in Kabuki and Joruri, where characters play clearly defined roles of heroes and villains. This word also appears in contemporary narratives, whether in manga, anime, or Japanese films, often portraying antagonists in a complex manner, where motivations and dark pasts are explored, challenging the simplistic view of "good" versus "evil".

Furthermore, 「悪者」 can be seen in less literal contexts in everyday use, such as when someone who has committed a questionable act is mentioned in a joking or critical manner. It is an example of how the Japanese language can encapsulate deep cultural and social concepts in seemingly simple expressions.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 悪党 (Akutou) - Villain, criminal
• 悪徳者 (Akutokusha) - Corrupt person, moral villain
• 悪人 (Akunin) - Evil person, villain
• 悪党者 (Akutousha) - Criminal, member of a criminal group
• 悪漢 (Akukan) - Evil man, bandit
• 悪賊 (Akuzoku) - Thief, bandit
• 悪い人 (Warui hito) - Evil person
• 悪い奴 (Warui yatsu) - Bad individual, evil person
• 悪役 (Akuyaku) - Antagonist, villain in a story
• 悪者役 (Warumono yaku) - Villain role
• 悪役者 (Akuyakusha) - Actor who plays villains
• 悪事を働く人 (Akuji o hataraku hito) - Person who commits evil acts
• 悪事を行う人 (Akuji o okonau hito) - Person who performs more actions
• 悪事を企む人 (Akuji o takuramu hito) - Person who plots evil acts
• 悪事をたくらむ人 (Akuji o takuramu hito) - Person who plots evil deeds
• 悪事を犯す人 (Akuji o okasu hito) - Person who commits crimes
• 悪事を実行する人 (Akuji o jikkou suru hito) - Person who commits bad actions
• 悪事を行なう人 (Akuji o okonau hito) - Person who commits bad acts
• 悪事を行為する人 (Akuji o koui suru hito) - Person who engages in evil actions
• 悪事を行動する人 (Akuji o koudou suru hito) - Person who acts in a wicked manner
• 悪事を実施する人 (Akuji o jisshi suru hito) - Person who implements bad acts
• 悪事を行使する人 (Akuji o koushi suru hito) - Person who performs evil deeds

悪者

Romaji: warumono
Kana: わるもの
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: Bad Companion; Rascal; Ruffian; Scoundrel

Meaning in English: bad fellow;rascal;ruffian;scoundrel

Definition: A person who commits a crime or does something bad.

Example Sentences - (悪者) warumono

See below some example sentences:

悪者はいつか報いを受ける。

Warumono wa itsuka mukui o ukeru

The bad guys will pay off someday.

• 悪者 (warumono) - It means "villain" or "evil person"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• いつか (itsuka) - It means "someday" or "at some point".
• 報い (mukui) - It means "reward" or "punishment"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 受ける (ukeru) - It means "receive" or "suffer"