Translation guide
How to express 'accusation' in Japanese, from formal charges to casual blame.
To refer to a formal charge of wrongdoing, often in legal or official contexts.
Formal accusation or indictment, often used in legal contexts or for whistleblowing.
彼は汚職で告発された。
He was accused of corruption.
Indictment or prosecution; specifically the act of bringing charges in court.
検察は彼を殺人罪で起訴した。
The prosecution indicted him for murder.
Filing a criminal complaint or accusation, usually by a victim.
彼女はストーカーを告訴した。
She filed a complaint against her stalker.
To say that someone has done something wrong, without necessarily implying legal action.
Blame, criticism, or accusation; often used when publicly condemning someone's actions.
彼は不正の非難を受けた。
He faced accusations of fraud.
Blame or accusation, often used in phrases like 責めを負う (to take the blame).
To blame someone/something; a very common way to express accusation in daily conversation.
彼は私のせいにした。
He blamed me (made an accusation against me).
To express that an accusation is untrue or unfair.
False charge or wrongful accusation, often used in legal or serious contexts.
彼は冤罪で刑務所にいた。
He was in prison on a false accusation.
To falsely accuse someone; literally 'to make someone wear a wet kimono', an idiomatic expression.
彼は私に濡れ衣を着せた。
He falsely accused me.
A false or trumped-up accusation, often used for picking a fight or making an unreasonable claim.
To refer to an unproven claim of wrongdoing, often in news or reports.
Suspicion or allegation; implies doubt and is common in media.
彼には不正の疑惑がある。
There are accusations of misconduct against him.
Suspicion or charge, often used in criminal contexts (e.g., 容疑者 = suspect).
告発 is a general formal accusation or whistleblowing. 告訴 is a criminal complaint filed by a victim. 起訴 is the formal indictment by prosecutors. Use 告発 for broad formal accusations, 告訴 when a victim reports a crime, and 起訴 when charges are officially brought.
内部告発が行われた。
A whistleblowing accusation was made.
被害者が告訴した。
The victim filed a criminal accusation.
検察が起訴した。
The prosecutors indicted (brought an accusation).
English 'accusation' covers both formal charges and casual blame. In Japanese, using 告発 for a minor blame like 'He accused me of eating his cake' sounds overly dramatic. Use ～のせいにする or 非難する for everyday blame.
彼は私がケーキを食べたと非難した。
He accused me of eating his cake.
The failure is his fault (accusation).
それはただの言いがかりだ。
That's just a false accusation.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder (accusation of murder).