Translation guide
The state of being responsible for wrongdoing or deserving blame. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and set phrases that vary by formality and context, often appearing in legal, moral, or everyday situations.
Expressing that someone is at fault or bears responsibility for a negative outcome, in everyday or formal contexts.
The most common and versatile word for responsibility, including culpability. Used in both formal and informal settings.
He is responsible (has culpability).
Who bears responsibility for that accident?
Refers to negligence or fault, often in legal or formal contexts. Implies an error or oversight leading to culpability.
His culpability (negligence) was proven.
Means 'crime' or 'sin', but can imply culpability in a moral or legal sense. Often used in phrases like 罪がある (to be guilty).
He is guilty (has culpability).
Literally 'to bear the blame', a natural phrase for accepting culpability.
He took the blame for the failure.
Referring specifically to guilt or liability in a legal context.
Expressing moral blameworthiness, often in personal or societal judgments.
Indicating that multiple parties share blame or responsibility.
責任 (responsibility) is the broadest term and can be neutral or negative. 過失 (negligence) specifically implies an error or oversight, often in legal/formal settings. 罪 (crime/sin) carries a strong moral or legal connotation of guilt. Choose based on the nuance of culpability you want to convey.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'culpability' in all contexts. Using 責任 is usually the safest, but be aware of the specific nuance required. In casual speech, simpler phrases like 悪い (warui, 'bad/fault') or せい (sei, 'fault') are more natural than formal terms.
The investigation established his culpability.
Uses 責任 for culpability in a formal but not strictly legal context.
裁判所は彼の有罪を宣告した。
The court declared his guilt (culpability).
Capacity for responsibility, often used in discussions of criminal culpability regarding mental competence.
Whether the defendant had the capacity for culpability is the point of contention.
I also had some culpability (was at fault).
Moral responsibility. Used when distinguishing ethical culpability from legal liability.
He bears moral culpability.