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.
He was accused of corruption.
Indictment or prosecution; specifically the act of bringing charges in court.
The prosecution indicted him for murder.
Filing a criminal complaint or accusation, usually by a victim.
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.
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.
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.
He was in prison on a false accusation.
To falsely accuse someone; literally 'to make someone wear a wet kimono', an idiomatic expression.
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.
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.
A whistleblowing accusation was made.
The victim filed a criminal accusation.
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.
He accused me of eating his cake.
The failure is his fault (accusation).
That's just a false accusation.
He was arrested on suspicion of murder (accusation of murder).