Translation guide
A person who illegally seizes control of a vehicle, especially an aircraft. In Japanese, the term is often borrowed from English, but native expressions exist for describing the act.
Referring to a person who takes control of a vehicle by force, typically an airplane.
The most common and direct equivalent, borrowed from English. Used in news and everyday speech.
ハイジャッカーが飛行機を乗っ取った。
The hijacker took over the plane.
A native Japanese compound meaning 'takeover criminal'. Used in legal or formal contexts.
乗っ取り犯は警察に逮捕された。
The hijacker was arrested by the police.
Combines the loanword 'hijack' with 'criminal'. Common in news reports.
ハイジャック犯は投降した。
The hijacker surrendered.
A colloquial term for someone who takes over something, like a company or vehicle. Can sound slangy or derogatory.
あの乗っ取り屋がまた飛行機を狙っているらしい。
That hijacker is apparently targeting another plane.
Avoid directly translating 'hijacker' as 強盗 (robber) or 泥棒 (thief), as these imply theft rather than seizure of a vehicle. Use ハイジャッカー or 乗っ取り犯 instead.