Translation guide
To declare someone guilty of a crime, or a person found guilty and serving a sentence. Japanese uses different words for the verb and noun, and the noun often depends on context.
To officially state that someone is guilty of a crime in a court of law.
Literally 'to hand down a guilty verdict'. This is the most natural way to say a court convicts someone.
裁判所は彼に有罪判決を下した。
The court convicted him.
Means 'to find guilty'. Often used in legal contexts.
A person who has been convicted of a crime and is serving a sentence.
Standard term for a convicted person serving a sentence, especially in prison.
受刑者 is the neutral, official term for a convicted person serving a sentence. 囚人 is more colloquial and can imply the person is locked up, but it's also used in historical contexts. In modern legal or news contexts, 受刑者 is preferred.
The katakana word コンビクト is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to the native terms above.
The jury convicted the defendant.
A more dramatic or literary term for condemning or convicting, often implying moral judgment.
歴史が彼を断罪するだろう。
History will convict him.
その受刑者は刑務所から脱走した。
The convict escaped from prison.
Common word for prisoner or convict, but can sound a bit old-fashioned or harsh.
囚人たちは庭で運動していた。
The convicts were exercising in the yard.
Legal term specifically for a convicted prisoner, as opposed to someone awaiting trial.
既決囚と未決囚は別々に収容される。
Convicts and remand prisoners are housed separately.