Translation guide
The English word "forfeit" can be a verb (to lose or give up something as a penalty) or a noun (the thing lost or the act of losing). In Japanese, the expression depends on whether you are giving something up voluntarily, losing it as a consequence, or referring to a penalty in games or legal contexts.
Expressing that someone must give up something because of a rule violation, failure, or as a consequence.
Passive form of 没収する (to confiscate/forfeit). Used when something is taken away by an authority or as a penalty. Common in legal, sports, and game contexts.
His passport was forfeited because he violated the rules.
General verb meaning 'to lose'. Can be used for forfeiting rights, trust, or abstract things. Less formal than 没収される.
He forfeited trust due to misconduct.
Formal term meaning 'to be stripped of' a right, title, or privilege. Used in legal or official contexts.
He was forfeited of his citizenship due to the crime.
Expressing that someone chooses to give up a right, claim, or item, often in a game or agreement.
Means 'to abandon' or 'to give up' a right, claim, or possession. Used in both formal and everyday contexts.
He forfeited his inheritance rights.
Means 'to give up' in a more emotional or personal sense. Can be used when forfeiting an opportunity or goal.
Literally 'to comply with confiscation'. Used when someone voluntarily hands over an item as a penalty.
He forfeited the prohibited items.
Referring to the thing that is lost or the act of losing as a penalty in games, sports, or competitions.
Noun meaning 'confiscation' or 'forfeiture'. Used in rules of games or sports when a player loses an item or right.
The foul resulted in a forfeit of the ball.
Refers to a 'penalty game' or 'forfeit' in a playful context, like party games. Often involves doing something embarrassing.
Literally 'confiscated item'. Used for the object that is forfeited, especially in legal or formal contexts.
The forfeited items are kept by the police.
When a team or player fails to show up or is disqualified, resulting in an automatic loss.
English often uses 'forfeit' as a transitive verb (e.g., 'He forfeited the game'). Japanese usually expresses this with a noun + verb structure (e.g., 没収になる, 放棄する) or passive forms. Using a single verb equivalent can sound unnatural.
没収 (confiscation/forfeiture) implies an authority taking something away as a penalty. 放棄 (abandonment/waiver) implies voluntarily giving up a right or claim. Choose based on whether the action is forced or voluntary.
If you break the rules, you will forfeit your deposit.
They had to forfeit the game because they didn't have enough players.
He forfeited the match.
負けたら罰ゲームとして歌を歌わなければならない。
If you lose, you have to sing a song as a forfeit.
Literally 'confiscated match'. Used in combat sports when a fighter is disqualified and the match is forfeited.
The match was forfeited due to a foul.