Translation guide
Describes a criminal who has committed an extremely evil or shocking crime. In Japanese, the concept is often expressed through compound nouns or descriptive phrases rather than a single direct equivalent.
To refer to a criminal who has committed an atrocious or brutal crime, often used in news or formal contexts.
A standard term for a criminal who commits violent, brutal crimes. Commonly used in news reports and legal contexts.
その凶悪犯は終身刑を言い渡された。
The heinous criminal was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Literally 'extremely evil person'. Emphasizes the moral depravity of the criminal. Slightly more dramatic or literary than 凶悪犯.
彼は極悪人として歴史に名を残した。
He went down in history as a heinous criminal.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'brutal/vicious criminal'. More explicit than 凶悪犯 and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
警察は凶悪な犯罪者を追跡している。
The police are pursuing a heinous criminal.
To refer to criminals who have committed particularly shocking crimes like murder, terrorism, or serial offenses.
Literally 'murder demon'. Refers to a brutal murderer, often with a connotation of being inhumanly cruel. Used for serial killers or particularly savage murderers.
その殺人鬼は10人以上の犠牲者を出した。
The heinous criminal claimed more than ten victims.
A compound meaning 'brutal murderer'. Used in legal and news contexts to emphasize the vicious nature of the murder.
凶悪殺人犯の裁判が始まった。
The trial of the heinous criminal began.
Loanword for 'terrorist'. Used specifically for those who commit acts of terrorism, which are considered heinous crimes.
To express strong condemnation of a criminal in everyday speech or dramatic contexts.
Literally 'a criminal like a brute/beast'. Strongly condemns the criminal as inhuman and morally repugnant. Used in emotional or opinionated contexts.
あんな鬼畜のような犯罪者は死刑に値する。
A heinous criminal like that deserves the death penalty.
A set phrase meaning 'an utterly heinous and inhuman criminal'. Very strong and somewhat literary, often used in dramatic narratives.
極悪非道な犯人がついに逮捕された。
The heinous criminal was finally arrested.
Directly translating 'heinous criminal' as 憎むべき犯罪者 (nikumubeki hanzai sha) is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural and overly literal. Use the established terms above instead.
凶悪犯 (kyōakuhan) focuses on the brutality of the crime and is common in news/legal contexts. 極悪人 (gokuakunin) emphasizes moral evil and is more dramatic or literary. For most situations, 凶悪犯 is the safer choice.
そのテロリストは無差別攻撃を計画していた。
The heinous criminal was planning indiscriminate attacks.