Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of 'jail' is expressed through words for the physical facility, the act of being imprisoned, and related legal terms. The most common word is 刑務所 (prison), but other terms like 拘置所 (detention center) and 留置所 (police jail) are used depending on context. Verbs like 投獄する (to imprison) and phrases like 刑務所に入る (to go to jail) are also important.
Referring to a prison or jail as a facility where criminals are held.
The standard word for 'prison' or 'jail' as a facility. Used for convicted criminals serving sentences.
He was in jail for five years.
A more formal or literary term for 'prison'. Often used in legal contexts or older texts.
The Prison Act was revised.
An old-fashioned or colloquial term for 'jail'. Can sound rustic or historical.
Old jails were dark and cramped.
Referring to a facility where suspects are held before trial or for short-term detention.
Expressing the action of being sent to or being in jail.
Literally 'to enter prison'. The most common way to say 'to go to jail'.
He went to jail for fraud.
Passive form of 投獄する (to imprison). Means 'to be imprisoned' or 'to be thrown in jail'.
He was jailed for a crime he didn't commit.
Formal term meaning 'to be imprisoned' or 'to be incarcerated'. Used in news or legal contexts.
The criminal was immediately jailed.
Expressing the act of putting someone in jail.
Referring to the punishment of being in jail for a period of time.
刑務所 is for convicted criminals serving sentences. 拘置所 is for suspects awaiting trial. 留置所 is a short-term holding facility at a police station. Using the wrong term can cause confusion.
He is in a detention center, not a prison.
English often uses 'jail' as a verb (e.g., 'He was jailed'). In Japanese, use phrases like 刑務所に入る or verbs like 投獄される. Directly translating 'jail' as a verb (e.g., ジェイルする) is not natural.
He spent ten years in jail.
She was sent to jail for theft.
The jail was overcrowded.
He was put in a police jail overnight.
A jail sentence without labor was handed down.