Translation guide
The person who carries out a death sentence. In Japanese, the term depends on context: historical, modern legal, or metaphorical. The most common word is 死刑執行人, but in historical settings 首切り役人 or 処刑人 are used. For metaphorical 'executioner' (one who ends something), 破壊者 or figurative expressions are more natural.
The executioner is responsible for carrying out the sentence.
The person who executes criminals in historical contexts, often by beheading.
Literally 'head-cutting official'. Used for historical executioners, especially in samurai-era Japan.
The executioner beheaded the criminal.
General term for executioner, often used in historical or dramatic contexts. Can also refer to a hitman in fiction.
Specifically a beheader. Rare and literary.
The executioner swung the axe down.
A person or thing that brings about the end or destruction of something, often figuratively.
In English, 'executioner' can be used metaphorically (e.g., 'executioner of the plan'). Direct translation with 死刑執行人 would be unnatural. Use 破壊者 or rephrase with a verb like 終わらせる.
The medieval executioner lived on the outskirts of town.