Translation guide
The state of being confined in prison or the act of putting someone in prison. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns like 投獄 (tougoku) or 収監 (shuukan), and verbs like 投獄する (tougoku suru) or 収監する (shuukan suru). The choice depends on formality and context.
To express the action of imprisoning someone, often in legal or formal contexts.
The most common and general term for imprisonment. Can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
彼は殺人罪で投獄された。
He was incarcerated for murder.
A more formal term, often used in legal or official documents. Implies confinement in a prison or detention facility.
裁判官は被告人の収監を命じた。
The judge ordered the incarceration of the defendant.
Refers specifically to detention before trial or during investigation. Not used for post-conviction imprisonment.
容疑者は拘置所に移送された。
The suspect was transferred to a detention center.
To describe the condition of being imprisoned, often focusing on the experience or duration.
Means 'in prison' or 'during imprisonment'. Often used in phrases like 獄中生活 (prison life) or 獄中記 (prison memoirs).
彼は獄中で多くの本を読んだ。
He read many books during his incarceration.
Refers to serving a prison sentence. Often used as a verb (服役する) to mean 'serve time'.
Literally 'during incarceration'. Used in formal contexts to indicate that someone is currently imprisoned.
収監中の囚人の権利が問題になった。
The rights of incarcerated prisoners became an issue.
To discuss the social phenomenon of large-scale imprisonment, often in political or sociological contexts.
Direct translation of 'mass incarceration'. Used in discussions of criminal justice policy.
アメリカの大量投獄は深刻な社会問題だ。
Mass incarceration in the United States is a serious social problem.
Means 'excessive incarceration'. Often used in academic or activist contexts.
過剰収監は更生よりも罰を重視している。
Excessive incarceration emphasizes punishment over rehabilitation.
投獄 is the most common and versatile term for imprisonment. 収監 is more formal and often appears in legal contexts. For everyday conversation, 投獄 is preferred.
彼は無実の罪で投獄された。
He was incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit.
収監中の被告人と面会した。
I visited the incarcerated defendant.
English often uses 'incarceration' as an abstract noun, but Japanese prefers verbal expressions or specific nouns. Instead of saying 'incarceration is a problem', use '投獄されること' or rephrase with a verb.
投獄されることは更生の妨げになる。
Incarceration hinders rehabilitation.
彼は5年間服役した。
He served five years of incarceration.