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.
The police arrested the kidnapper.
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.
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.
Kidnappers appear in old tales.
Specifically a kidnapper who demands money or other payment.
In legal or formal documents, a person charged with kidnapping.
A person who abducts a child.
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.
The kidnapper tricked the child and took them away.
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 kidnapper demanded a ransom.
The kidnapping suspect is being interrogated.