Composed of 裏切り (betrayal; the noun form of 裏切る) and 者 (person). A highly emotional word used to label someone who has broken trust. Common in fiction (especially period dramas and thrillers) and in heated interpersonal or political disputes.
Common collocations
- 裏切り者と呼ぶ: to call someone a traitor
- 裏切り者を許す: to forgive a traitor
- 裏切り者を探す: to search for a traitor
Related words
- 裏切る: to betray — the verb form
- 裏切り: betrayal — the noun describing the act
- 反逆者: rebel; insurgent — implies rebellion against authority rather than personal betrayal
- 売国奴: traitor to one's country — a much stronger and specifically political term