Translation guide
The act of dishonestly taking money or property entrusted to one's care, typically in a workplace or official capacity.
To refer to the crime or act of embezzlement in general.
The standard legal and general term for embezzlement. Covers misappropriation of funds or property by someone in a position of trust.
To express the action of embezzling.
The verb form of 横領. The most direct and common way to say 'to embezzle'.
彼は多額の金を横領した。
He embezzled a large sum of money.
To refer to a specific incident or scandal involving embezzlement.
Standard term for an embezzlement case or scandal.
その横領事件は大きなニュースになった。
That embezzlement case became big news.
横領 is the broadest and most formal term, suitable for legal contexts. 着服 is common in news and often implies a one-time act of pocketing money. 使い込み emphasizes a pattern of gradually using entrusted funds for personal expenses, often over a long period.
盗む (to steal) is not appropriate for embezzlement because embezzlement involves a breach of trust rather than direct theft. Using 盗む may sound like a different crime.
彼は会社の金を横領した。
He embezzled company funds.
横領の罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested on charges of embezzlement.
Often used for embezzlement of money or valuables, especially in a business setting. Slightly less formal than 横領 but common in news.
経理担当者が売上金を着服した。
The accounting clerk embezzled the sales proceeds.
Embezzlement by gradually using entrusted money for personal purposes. Implies a pattern of misappropriation over time.
彼は組合の資金を使い込んでいた。
He had been embezzling union funds.
Breach of trust; a broader legal term that includes embezzlement but also other acts of betrayal of duty. Used in formal/legal contexts.
背任行為で告訴された。
He was sued for breach of trust.
Verb form of 着服. Commonly used in news reports.
店長が売上金を着服した。
The store manager embezzled the sales money.
Verb form of 使い込み. Emphasizes the gradual, repeated nature of the embezzlement.
彼は会社の金を使い込んだ。
He embezzled company money (over time).
Also used, but 横領事件 is more common.
着服事件で社長が辞任した。
The president resigned over an embezzlement scandal.