Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of an accomplice is expressed through several words that differ in nuance, formality, and context. The most common term is 共犯者 (kyōhansha), a neutral word for a partner in crime. Other terms like 共謀者 (kyōbōsha) emphasize conspiracy, while 片棒 (kata-bō) is a colloquial expression. Understanding the legal, dramatic, and everyday contexts will help you choose the right word.
To refer to a person who helps commit a crime, without strong emotional or dramatic overtones.
The standard, neutral term for an accomplice. Used in legal contexts and everyday speech. It literally means 'co-offender person'.
彼は銀行強盗の共犯者として逮捕された。
He was arrested as an accomplice in the bank robbery.
共犯者の存在が明らかになった。
The existence of an accomplice came to light.
Refers to the act of complicity or the accomplice themselves, but more commonly used for the crime of being an accomplice. Can be used as a noun or with する to mean 'to be an accomplice'.
彼は共犯の罪で起訴された。
He was indicted for the crime of complicity.
彼女は彼の共犯だった。
She was his accomplice.
To emphasize the planning or conspiracy aspect, often in serious crimes or dramatic contexts.
Focuses on the conspiracy or plotting together. Often used in political or organized crime contexts. More formal than 共犯者.
クーデターの共謀者たちは秘密裏に会合した。
The conspirators of the coup met in secret.
彼は暗殺計画の共謀者として指名手配された。
He was wanted as a conspirator in the assassination plot.
The act of conspiracy. Often used in legal charges like 共謀罪 (conspiracy charge). Can also refer to the conspirator in some contexts.
To refer to an accomplice in a casual, often criminal underworld or street-level context.
A colloquial term for an accomplice, literally 'one shoulder of a palanquin', implying sharing the burden of a crime. Often used in the phrase 片棒を担ぐ (to take part in a crime as an accomplice).
彼は詐欺の片棒を担いだ。
He acted as an accomplice in the fraud.
お前も片棒だろう。
You're an accomplice too, aren't you?
Slang for an accomplice or being in cahoots. Often used in the phrase ぐるになる (to be in cahoots). Conveys a sense of collusion, often in scams or petty crimes.
あの二人はぐるだ。
Those two are in cahoots.
To refer to someone who helps a criminal after the crime, such as by hiding them or evidence.
The legal term for harboring a criminal. The person who does this is a 犯人蔵匿者 (はんにんぞうとくしゃ). Often used in legal contexts.
彼は犯人蔵匿の疑いで逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of harboring a criminal.
Destruction of evidence. A person who helps destroy evidence is an accomplice after the fact. The act itself is often charged.
彼女は証拠隠滅に加担した。
She participated in the destruction of evidence.
To refer to a close friend or partner in a mischievous or non-criminal joint endeavor.
Literally 'partner' or 'buddy', often used for a trusted companion in various activities, including crime. In detective stories, it's the partner. Can be used lightheartedly for a friend who joins in pranks.
彼は俺の相棒だ。
He's my partner in crime.
いたずらではいつも相棒と一緒だ。
I'm always with my partner in crime when it comes to pranks.
A 'bad friend' or partner in mischief. Not necessarily criminal, but implies a friend who leads you into trouble or fun misbehavior.
共犯者 is the general term for an accomplice who participates in the crime itself. 共謀者 emphasizes the planning or conspiracy stage. In many cases they overlap, but 共謀者 is more specific to plotting.
When English speakers say 'partner in crime' for a close friend, translating directly as 犯罪のパートナー sounds unnatural. Use 相棒 or 悪友 instead.
彼は単なる共犯者で、首謀者ではなかった。
He was just an accomplice, not the mastermind.
警察は彼の共犯者を捜している。
The police are looking for his accomplice.
彼らは共謀して証拠を隠滅した。
They conspired to destroy evidence.
彼は店員とぐるになって万引きした。
He shoplifted in cahoots with the store clerk.
彼は私の悪友で、よく夜遊びに誘う。
He's my partner in crime, always inviting me out for late-night fun.