Translation guide
A person who abducts someone, often for ransom or other motives. Japanese distinguishes between general abduction, ransom kidnapping, and legal terms.
A person who takes someone away illegally, often by force.
The most common and direct word for 'kidnapper', used in news and everyday speech. It specifically refers to someone who abducts a person by deception or force.
警察は誘拐犯を逮捕した。
The police arrested the kidnapper.
誘拐犯は身代金を要求した。
The kidnapper demanded a ransom.
Used for kidnappers who abduct by force, often in political or international contexts (e.g., North Korean abductions). More formal and less common in everyday crime reports.
北朝鮮による拉致犯が問題になっている。
Kidnappers from North Korea are a problem.
Literally 'person-snatcher', an older or more colloquial term for kidnapper, often implying child abduction. Can sound dated or dramatic.
昔話には人さらいが出てくる。
Kidnappers appear in old tales.
Specifically a kidnapper who demands money or other payment.
Explicitly states 'kidnapper for ransom'. Use when the ransom motive is important.
身代金目的の誘拐犯が逮捕された。
A kidnapper for ransom was arrested.
Often implies ransom in context, but not always. Use when the context makes it clear.
誘拐犯は身代金を要求した。
The kidnapper demanded a ransom.
In legal or formal documents, a person charged with kidnapping.
Formal term used in legal contexts, meaning 'the perpetrator of kidnapping'.
誘拐犯人は懲役10年の判決を受けた。
The kidnapper received a 10-year prison sentence.
Means 'suspect'. Use when the person is not yet convicted, but is suspected of kidnapping.
A person who abducts a child.
Simply 'kidnapper of children'. Clear and direct.
子供の誘拐犯に気をつけてください。
Please be careful of child kidnappers.
Old-fashioned term for child kidnapper, similar to 'child-snatcher'. Rarely used in modern contexts.
子さらいの噂が広まった。
Rumors of a child kidnapper spread.
誘拐犯 (yūkaihan) is the general term for kidnapper, often involving deception or luring. 拉致犯 (rachihan) implies forceful abduction, commonly used in political or international contexts like North Korean abductions. In everyday crime, 誘拐犯 is preferred.
誘拐犯は子供を騙して連れ去った。
The kidnapper tricked the child and took them away.
拉致犯は被害者を車に押し込んだ。
The kidnapper forced the victim into the car.
人さらい (hitosarai) sounds archaic or like a fairy-tale villain. Using it in modern contexts may sound odd or overly dramatic. Stick to 誘拐犯 for most situations.
The kidnapping suspect is being interrogated.