Translation guide
The term 'child abuse' covers physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. In Japanese, the most common and direct term is 児童虐待 (jidō gyakutai), but related terms exist for specific contexts.
The broad concept of child abuse, including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect.
The standard legal and social term for child abuse. Used in news, official documents, and everyday conversation.
児童虐待は深刻な社会問題です。
Child abuse is a serious social problem.
児童虐待の通報が増えている。
Reports of child abuse are increasing.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'abuse toward children'. Slightly less formal than 児童虐待 but still common.
子供への虐待を防ぐために、地域の支援が必要です。
To prevent child abuse, community support is necessary.
Specifically physical harm or violence against a child.
The formal term for physical abuse, often used in legal and medical contexts.
身体的虐待の痕が見つかった。
Signs of physical abuse were found.
A verb phrase meaning 'to use violence'. Often used when describing the act of physically abusing a child.
親が子供に暴力を振るうことは許されない。
It is unacceptable for parents to use violence against their children.
Non-physical abuse that harms a child's emotional well-being.
The formal term for psychological or emotional abuse. Used in professional settings.
心理的虐待は外から見えにくい。
Psychological abuse is hard to see from the outside.
Literally 'verbal violence', this phrase is commonly used to describe emotional abuse through harsh words.
言葉の暴力も虐待の一つです。
Verbal abuse is also a form of abuse.
Sexual abuse or exploitation of a child.
The standard term for sexual abuse. Used in legal, medical, and social contexts.
性的虐待の被害者は適切なケアが必要です。
Victims of sexual abuse need appropriate care.
Failure to provide for a child's basic needs, a form of child abuse.
The loanword 'neglect' is widely used in Japanese to refer specifically to child neglect.
ネグレクトは児童虐待の一種です。
Neglect is a type of child abuse.
Literally 'child-rearing abandonment', this term is also used for neglect, especially in legal contexts.
児童虐待 is the formal, legal term and is most common in news and official documents. 子供への虐待 is more descriptive and can be used in everyday speech, but it is less concise. Both are widely understood.
In context, 虐待 (gyakutai) alone can mean child abuse if the topic is clear. For example, 虐待が増えている (Abuse is increasing) often implies child abuse in news headlines.
育児放棄により子供が危険にさらされた。
The child was endangered due to neglect.