Translation guide
Expresses that something is likely to happen, often with a negative connotation. In Japanese, this is commonly conveyed through suffixes, set phrases, or grammatical patterns rather than a single word.
Describes a person or thing that has a tendency to experience something undesirable.
Attaches to the stem of a verb or a noun to indicate a tendency toward something, often negative. Implies frequency or inclination.
彼は遅刻しがちだ。
He is liable to be late.
この天気だと気分が沈みがちになる。
With this weather, I'm liable to feel down.
Attaches to the stem of a verb to mean 'easy to do' or 'prone to happening'. Can be used for both positive and negative tendencies, but context often implies liability.
このガラスは割れやすい。
This glass is liable to break.
彼は風邪をひきやすい。
He is liable to catch colds.
A formal expression meaning 'has a tendency to' or 'is apt to', used for undesirable habits or characteristics. Often used in written or critical contexts.
彼は物事を大げさに言うきらいがある。
He is liable to exaggerate things.
Indicates that an event or situation has a high probability of occurring, often with a sense of risk.
Used in formal or news contexts to warn of a possible negative event. Literally 'there is a fear that...'.
大雨で洪水の恐れがある。
There is a risk of flooding due to heavy rain.
この薬は副作用を引き起こす恐れがある。
This medicine is liable to cause side effects.
Attaches to the stem of a verb to mean 'could easily do' or 'is capable of', implying a negative possibility. Stronger than 〜かもしれない.
そんなことを言うと、彼を怒らせかねない。
Saying that is liable to make him angry.
このままでは計画は失敗しかねない。
At this rate, the plan is liable to fail.
Expresses strong conviction that something is the case. Can be used to say 'is bound to' or 'is liable to' when the outcome seems inevitable.
あの雲行きでは、雨が降るに違いない。
With those clouds, it's liable to rain.
Refers to being held accountable or required to pay for something under law or agreement.
Means 'to bear responsibility'. Used in legal, business, and formal contexts.
会社はその損害に対して責任を負う。
The company is liable for the damages.
Specifically means 'liable for compensation' or 'liable for damages'. Common in insurance and legal documents.
事故の加害者は賠償責任がある。
The perpetrator of the accident is liable for compensation.
Means 'obligated to pay'. Used in contexts like taxes, debts, or contractual payments.
この収入には税金の支払い義務がある。
This income is liable to taxation.
〜がち focuses on a habitual tendency (often negative), 〜やすい indicates something is easy to happen or prone to occur (can be neutral), and 〜恐れがある is formal and warns of a specific potential danger.
冬は風邪をひきがちだ。
In winter, I tend to catch colds. (habitual)
このスマホは壊れやすい。
This smartphone is liable to break. (inherent property)
台風で停電の恐れがある。
There is a risk of blackout due to the typhoon. (specific warning)
English 'liable to' often translates to a grammatical pattern rather than a single Japanese word. Using a dictionary word like 責任がある for non-legal contexts will sound unnatural. Choose the pattern that matches the nuance: tendency, probability, or obligation.
English 'liable to' often translates to a grammatical pattern rather than a single Japanese word. Using a dictionary word like 責任がある for non-legal contexts will sound unnatural. Choose the pattern that matches the nuance: tendency, probability, or obligation.