Translation guide
The concept of immunity in English can refer to medical resistance to disease, legal exemption from prosecution, or general protection from something undesirable. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
The body's ability to resist infection or disease, often through antibodies or vaccination.
The standard medical term for immunity. Used for both natural and acquired immunity.
You develop immunity through vaccination.
He has immunity to measles.
Literally 'resistance power'. Used more broadly for the body's ability to fight off illness, not strictly medical 'immunity'.
Lack of sleep lowers your resistance.
Specifically 'antibodies'. Used in medical contexts when talking about the presence of antibodies.
Check for immunity with an antibody test.
Protection from legal consequences, such as prosecution, lawsuits, or penalties.
Legal term meaning exemption from responsibility or liability. Commonly used in phrases like 免責特権 (immunity privilege).
He was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony.
Specifically 'criminal immunity', exemption from criminal prosecution.
Being shielded from harm, criticism, or negative consequences in a non-medical, non-legal sense.
Verb meaning 'to escape' or 'to be exempt from' something negative. Often used in the form 〜を免れる.
He was immune to criticism. (lit. He escaped criticism.)
Literally 'unrelated', used to mean 'free from' or 'immune to' in the sense of not being affected by something.
Literally 'not affected by'. A straightforward way to express immunity to influence or effects.
While 免疫 is the direct translation for 'immunity', it is almost exclusively used in medical/biological contexts. Using it for legal or general protection will sound unnatural. Use 免責 for legal immunity and phrases like 免れる or 無縁 for general exemption.
He provided information on condition of criminal immunity.
Parliamentary immunity from arrest, specifically for legislators during sessions.
Diet members have immunity from arrest.
The area was spared from the war. (immune to war damage)
He is immune to that kind of trouble.
She is immune to the opinions of others.