Translation guide
The death penalty is a legal punishment where a person is executed for a crime. In Japanese, the most common term is 死刑 (shikei). This guide covers how to talk about the death penalty, including related verbs, legal terms, and common expressions.
Referring to the death penalty as a punishment or sentence
The standard term for 'death penalty' or 'capital punishment'. Used in legal contexts and everyday conversation.
Japan has the death penalty system.
He was sentenced to death.
Literally 'extreme punishment', a more formal or literary term for the death penalty. Often used in news or serious discussions.
The death penalty was carried out.
Describing the act of giving a death sentence
Describing the act of execution
The standard phrase for 'to carry out the death penalty'. 執行 (shikkō) means 'execution' or 'carrying out'.
The death row inmate was executed.
A more general term for 'to execute', not limited to legal death penalty. Can sound more brutal or historical.
The rebels were executed.
Referring to a person sentenced to death or the place they are held
Discussing the movement to end capital punishment
The term for 'abolition of the death penalty'. Often used in debates and activism.
Calls for the abolition of the death penalty are growing.
Referring to specific ways the death penalty is carried out
死罪 (shizai) is an older term for a capital crime or death sentence, often used historically. In modern Japanese, 死刑 (shikei) is the standard word for the death penalty.
死刑 is often combined with other kanji to form related terms: 死刑制度 (shikei seido, death penalty system), 死刑判決 (shikei hanketsu, death sentence verdict), 死刑執行 (shikei shikkō, execution).
The Supreme Court handed down a death sentence.
The number of death row inmates with finalized sentences is increasing.
アメリカの一部の州では電気椅子が使われる。
The electric chair is used in some U.S. states.