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.
彼に責任がある。
He is responsible (has culpability).
その事故の責任は誰にあるのか。
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.
彼の過失が証明された。
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).
彼には罪がある。
He is guilty (has culpability).
Literally 'to bear the blame', a natural phrase for accepting culpability.
彼はその失敗の責めを負った。
He took the blame for the failure.
Referring specifically to guilt or liability in a legal context.
Criminal responsibility. The standard term in legal contexts.
彼の刑事責任が問われている。
His criminal culpability is being questioned.
Guilt (as a legal verdict). Used in phrases like 有罪判決 (guilty verdict).
Expressing moral blameworthiness, often in personal or societal judgments.
Fault, blame, or wrongdoing. Often used in compounds like 非がある (to be at fault).
この件では彼に非がある。
In this matter, he is at fault (has culpability).
A mistake or fault, often implying personal culpability. Slightly softer than 過失.
Indicating that multiple parties share blame or responsibility.
Collective responsibility. Common in group-oriented contexts like companies or teams.
チーム全員に連帯責任がある。
The whole team shares culpability.
Joint responsibility. Similar to 連帯責任 but often used in legal or formal agreements.
両社に共同責任がある。
Both companies share culpability.
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.
調査によって彼の責任が明らかになった。
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.
被告人に責任能力があったかどうかが争点だ。
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.
彼には道義的責任がある。
He bears moral culpability.