Translation guide
The English word "atrocity" refers to an extremely wicked, cruel, or brutal act, often involving violence or injury. In Japanese, the concept is expressed through several nouns and phrases that convey cruelty, brutality, or heinousness, with nuances ranging from physical violence to moral outrage.
To refer to a specific act of extreme cruelty or violence, such as a war crime or brutal murder.
A formal and direct translation for 'atrocity,' commonly used in news, legal, and historical contexts. It literally means 'cruel act.'
戦争中に多くの残虐行為が行われた。
Many atrocities were committed during the war.
Implies barbaric or savage acts, often used in historical or literary contexts. Stronger connotation of uncivilized behavior.
侵略軍の蛮行は歴史に刻まれている。
The atrocities of the invading army are etched in history.
Refers to a violent, heinous crime, often used in crime reporting. Focuses on the wickedness of the act.
犯人の凶行に地域社会は震撼した。
The community was shocked by the perpetrator's atrocity.
Emphasizes tyranny and extreme cruelty, often used in historical or political contexts. Can also describe a person's character.
独裁者の暴虐に人々は苦しんだ。
The people suffered under the dictator's atrocities.
To describe the extreme cruelty or wickedness of an act or situation, rather than a specific act.
Refers to the atrocious nature or cruelty of something. Often used in discussions of psychology, crime, or history.
その事件の残虐性は言葉にできない。
The atrocity of the incident is beyond words.
Emphasizes the inhumanity or injustice of an act. Often used in moral or ethical contexts.
彼の行為の非道さに皆が怒りを感じた。
Everyone felt anger at the atrocity of his actions.
Focuses on the heinousness or wickedness, often used in crime contexts. Can sound slightly sensational.
犯罪の凶悪さが報道された。
The atrocity of the crime was reported.
To express strong condemnation of an act as atrocious, often in speech or informal writing.
A common, versatile phrase meaning 'terrible thing' or 'awful act.' Used in everyday conversation to express shock or condemnation.
そんなひどいことをするなんて信じられない。
I can't believe they would commit such an atrocity.
Means 'unforgivable act.' Strongly conveys moral condemnation and is suitable for both speech and writing.
これは許しがたい行為だ。
This is an atrocity that cannot be forgiven.
Direct translations like 残虐行為 can sound overly formal or technical in everyday conversation. For casual condemnation, use ひどいこと or 許しがたい行為 instead.
残虐行為 is the standard, neutral term for 'atrocity' in formal contexts. 蛮行 carries a nuance of barbarism and is often used in historical or literary descriptions of uncivilized acts.
その虐殺は歴史上最悪の残虐行為の一つだった。
The massacre was one of the worst atrocities in history.
彼らはその犯罪の残虐性に衝撃を受けた。
They were shocked by the atrocity of the crime.
A strong, idiomatic expression meaning 'outrageous' or 'unspeakable.' Used to condemn an act as beyond words.
その行為は言語道断だ。
That act is an atrocity (literally: unspeakable).