Translation guide
The person being sued or accused in a legal case. In Japanese, the term depends on the type of case: civil or criminal.
The party against whom a civil lawsuit is brought.
Standard term for a defendant in a civil lawsuit. Also used generically for 'the accused' in legal contexts.
The defendant was ordered to pay damages.
The person accused of a crime in a criminal trial.
Specifically refers to the accused in a criminal case. Used in court proceedings and legal documents.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
Referring to the defendant as a concept, without specifying case type.
Often used as a general term covering both civil and criminal defendants, especially in news or everyday conversation.
The defendant testified in court.
被告 (hikoku) is the general term for defendant and is used in civil cases. 被告人 (hikokunin) is specifically for criminal defendants. In everyday language, 被告 is often used for both, but in legal contexts the distinction is important.