Translation guide
The English word "killing" can refer to the act of taking a life, a single instance of murder, or the resulting death. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings, from general terms to legal and figurative uses.
Expressing the general action or concept of causing death, often in a violent or intentional manner.
The most common and general term for 'killing' or 'murder' as an act. Used in legal, news, and everyday contexts.
Killing is a serious crime.
He was arrested on suspicion of killing.
Refers to the act of killing, often used in formal or news reports. Slightly more formal than 殺人.
The noun form of 殺す (to kill). More colloquial and direct than 殺人. Often used in casual speech or fiction.
Refers to killing living beings, often in a Buddhist context implying cruelty or the taking of life. Used in religious or ethical discussions.
Referring to a specific event where someone is killed, often in crime contexts.
Literally 'murder case', this is the standard term for a killing incident in news and police reports.
A killing occurred in the city last night.
Can also refer to a specific act of killing, often in a more visceral or informal way. Common in mysteries and thrillers.
Focusing on the outcome of a killing, i.e., the death itself, often in statistics or reports.
General term for 'death', used when the result of a killing is emphasized. Common in news and official contexts.
Killings from accidents are occurring one after another.
Means 'the dead' or 'fatalities'. Used when counting victims of a killing event.
Using 'killing' in a non-literal sense, such as 'making a killing' (profit) or 'killing time'.
For 'make a killing' meaning to earn a large profit. Literally 'make a big profit'.
He made a killing in the stock market.
For 'killing time', meaning to pass time idly. Literally 'crush time'.
I killed time at a café.
For 'killing' as in exhausting or causing great pain, e.g., 'My feet are killing me'. Literally 'severely hurt/afflict'.
These shoes are killing my feet.
The verb 殺す means 'to kill', but its noun form 殺し is casual and not always appropriate. For formal or general references, use 殺人 or 殺害.
Killing is unforgivable.
殺人 (satsujin) is the general term for murder/homicide and can be used in legal contexts. 殺害 (satsugai) emphasizes the act of killing and is often used in news reports. 殺人 is more common in everyday language.
The investigation of the killing is progressing.
He planned the killing of his wife.
容疑者は被害者の殺害を認めた。
The suspect admitted to the killing of the victim.
あの映画は殺しのシーンが多すぎる。
That movie has too many killing scenes.
仏教では殺生は禁じられている。
In Buddhism, killing is forbidden.
これは計画的殺しだ。
This is a premeditated killing.
The terror attack resulted in many killings.