Translation guide
The act of a government or authority taking private property for public use or state ownership, often with compensation. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific legal terms, common verbs, and set phrases depending on context.
To refer to the formal, legal process by which a government takes private land or property, typically for public works, with compensation.
The standard legal term for expropriation, especially of land, under laws like the Land Expropriation Act. Implies compulsory acquisition with compensation.
expropriation under the Land Expropriation Act
Expropriation for the public works project was carried out.
Emphasizes the compulsory nature of the taking. Often used in legal or political contexts.
The government forcibly expropriated the land.
Refers to taking over property or facilities, often by military or government authorities, sometimes temporarily. Can imply requisitioning.
The military expropriated the building.
Means confiscation or seizure, often as a penalty or without compensation. Not a direct equivalent of 'expropriation' but may be used in contexts of state taking.
Implies seizure without compensation, unlike typical expropriation.
The illegal property was confiscated.
To describe the state taking control of entire industries, companies, or large-scale assets, often for political or economic reasons.
The standard term for nationalization, i.e., transferring private assets to state ownership. Often used for industries or companies.
nationalization of the oil industry
Literally 'seizure by the state', used when the government takes over assets, sometimes without full legal process.
To express the idea of taking someone's property in a broader, sometimes figurative sense, not necessarily through formal legal procedures.
収用 (shūyō) typically refers to the taking of specific land or property for public use, often with compensation under eminent domain. 国有化 (kokuyūka) refers to nationalization, i.e., bringing an entire industry or company under state ownership. Use 収用 for land expropriation and 国有化 for nationalization of businesses.
Land expropriation is carried out for public works.
Nationalization is often done for political reasons.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'expropriation'. Using a direct translation like '収用' in non-legal contexts may sound unnatural. Choose the term based on whether it's land, assets, or a general taking, and whether compensation is involved.
The government nationalized the banks.
Expropriation of foreign-owned companies by the state took place.
The court confiscated his property.