Translation guide
The state of being confined in prison or the act of putting someone in prison. Japanese distinguishes between the legal act, the state of confinement, and specific types of imprisonment.
Describing the condition of being imprisoned or serving a prison sentence.
The most direct term for imprisonment, meaning being thrown into prison. Used for the act or state of being imprisoned.
彼は終身投獄された。
He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Formal term for confinement in prison, often used in legal contexts.
容疑者は収監された。
The suspect was imprisoned.
A specific legal term for imprisonment without hard labor, under Japanese criminal law. Rare in everyday speech.
禁錮刑が言い渡された。
A sentence of imprisonment without hard labor was handed down.
Describing the action of imprisoning someone.
Literally 'put into prison'. A natural, common way to say imprison.
裁判官は彼を刑務所に入れた。
The judge imprisoned him.
To throw into prison. Can be used for the act of imprisoning.
政府は反対派を投獄した。
The government imprisoned the opposition.
Describing the illegal act of detaining someone without legal authority.
The legal term for false imprisonment or unlawful confinement.
彼は不法監禁で訴えられた。
He was sued for false imprisonment.
To confine or detain someone, often used in the context of kidnapping or unlawful restraint.
犯人は被害者を地下室に監禁した。
The criminal imprisoned the victim in the basement.
投獄 (tougoku) is the general term for imprisonment, often with a nuance of being thrown into prison. 収監 (shuukan) is a formal, legal term for confinement. 禁錮 (kinko) is a specific legal penalty under Japanese law meaning imprisonment without hard labor, and is rarely used outside legal contexts.
禁錮 is a technical legal term. Using it in everyday conversation would sound unnatural. Stick to 投獄 or phrases like 刑務所に入れる for general use.