Japanese word

裏切る

Pronunciation

Romajiuragiru

Meaning

  • verbbetray

Example

友達を裏切ります。tomo dachi o ura gi ri ma su

I betray my friend.

Illustration for 裏切る (betray)

More examples

彼は秘密を漏らして、仲間を裏切りました。kare wa hi mitsu o mo ra shi te naka ma o ura gi ri ma shi ta

He betrayed his teammates by revealing a secret.

Core concept

Describes breaking the trust or loyalty that connects a person to someone, a group, or a promise.

Common phrases

  • 友達を裏切るtomo dachi o ura gi ru

    betray a friend

  • 家族を裏切るka zoku o ura gi ru

    betray one's family

  • 信頼を裏切るshin rai o ura gi ru

    betray someone's trust

Similar words

背くsomuku: To go against the wishes or authority of a person or group and betray their trust.
破るyaburu: To fail to keep a promise, agreement, or rule.

Definition in Japanese

信頼や約束を損ない、相手や所属する集団に背くこと。shin rai ya yaku soku o soko na i ai te ya sho zoku su ru shū dan ni somu ku ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese compound 裏切る (uragiru) combines 裏 (ura, "back") and 切る (kiru, "cut"), suggesting a break made from behind and developing the sense of betrayal.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 裏切る (uragiru) can describe breaking a promise or agreement as well as betraying a person, so it is not limited to serious acts of treachery.

Other meanings

  • be unfaithfulverb
  • go back onverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word