Translation guide
The act of taking someone away illegally by force, often to demand money or for other criminal purposes. In Japanese, different words emphasize the method, victim, or purpose.
To express the general act of kidnapping someone, often for ransom or criminal intent.
The most common and general term for kidnapping, often involving luring or taking someone away. Used for both children and adults, and frequently appears in news.
彼は誘拐の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of kidnapping.
誘拐事件が増えている。
Kidnapping cases are increasing.
Implies taking someone away by force, often with a stronger nuance of physical coercion. Commonly used in political contexts (e.g., North Korean abductions).
北朝鮮による拉致問題は未解決だ。
The abduction issue by North Korea remains unresolved.
A legal term for abduction, often used in the penal code. Not common in everyday speech.
未成年者略取の罪に問われた。
He was charged with abduction of a minor.
To specify kidnapping where the goal is to demand money.
Literally 'kidnapping for the purpose of ransom'. This is the standard way to clarify ransom kidnapping.
身代金目的の誘拐が発生した。
A kidnapping for ransom occurred.
Often implies ransom kidnapping when context is clear, but adding 身代金目的の makes it explicit.
犯人は誘拐した子供の身代金を要求した。
The criminal demanded ransom for the kidnapped child.
To refer specifically to the kidnapping of a child.
Simply 'kidnapping of a child'. Natural and widely understood.
子供の誘拐を防ぐために、防犯ブザーを持たせている。
To prevent child kidnapping, I have my child carry a security buzzer.
Means 'taking someone away', often used for child abduction by a stranger or non-custodial parent. Less formal than 誘拐.
公園で子供が連れ去られる事件があった。
There was an incident where a child was taken away at the park.
To describe a quick kidnapping where the victim is forced to withdraw money.
Literally 'short-time kidnapping'. Used in news for express kidnappings.
短時間誘拐の被害に遭い、ATMで現金を引き出させられた。
I was a victim of an express kidnapping and forced to withdraw cash from an ATM.
To refer to a scam where callers falsely claim to have kidnapped a family member to extort money.
A term used by police and media for virtual kidnapping scams. Literally 'fictitious demand type kidnapping'.
架空請求型誘拐の電話に注意してください。
Please be careful of virtual kidnapping phone calls.
Impersonation kidnapping; often used for scams where someone pretends to be a relative.
なりすまし誘拐の詐欺が増えている。
Impersonation kidnapping scams are increasing.
誘拐 (yūkai) is the general term for kidnapping and can include luring or tricking the victim. 拉致 (rachi) emphasizes physical force and is often used for political abductions. In everyday conversation, 誘拐 is more common.
The English loanword キッドナッピング is rarely used and sounds unnatural. Stick to Japanese terms like 誘拐.