Translation guide
The English word "lawsuit" refers to a legal case brought to court. In Japanese, the most common and direct equivalent is 訴訟 (そしょう), but depending on context, other terms like 裁判 (さいばん) or 告訴 (こくそ) may be more appropriate. This guide helps you choose the right word based on the type of legal action and level of formality.
To refer to a lawsuit in a broad sense, such as filing a case or being involved in litigation.
The standard term for a lawsuit, covering both civil and criminal cases. Used in formal and legal contexts.
He filed a lawsuit against the company.
The lawsuit has been dragging on.
Literally 'trial' or 'court case', often used interchangeably with lawsuit in everyday conversation. Slightly less formal than 訴訟.
I won the lawsuit.
I intend to file a lawsuit.
To specify a lawsuit over non-criminal matters like contracts, damages, or family issues.
To refer to a criminal case brought by the state against an individual.
To express the action of initiating a lawsuit.
The most common phrase for 'to file a lawsuit'. Literally 'to raise a lawsuit'.
They filed a lawsuit seeking damages.
A slightly more casual way to say 'to file a lawsuit', often used in spoken Japanese.
I was threatened with a lawsuit.
A formal, legal term meaning 'to file a suit' or 'to bring an action'. Used in written legal documents.
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit with the court.
To express that someone is the defendant in a lawsuit.
To refer to a lawsuit filed by a group of people with a common claim.
訴訟 (そしょう) specifically means 'lawsuit' or 'litigation', emphasizing the legal action itself. 裁判 (さいばん) means 'trial' or 'court case', focusing on the court proceedings. In many contexts they overlap, but 訴訟 is more formal and precise for the act of suing, while 裁判 is broader and can refer to any court case, including criminal trials not initiated by a private lawsuit.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all uses of 'lawsuit'. Avoid directly translating 'lawsuit' as 訴訟 in every case; sometimes 裁判 or a verb phrase like 訴える is more natural. For example, 'I'm involved in a lawsuit' is often 裁判中です (さいばんちゅうです) rather than 訴訟中です, though both are possible.
They settled the lawsuit out of court.
和解 (わかい) means settlement. 裁判外 (さいばんがい) means out of court.
Civil trial or civil case, often used in news reports.
A settlement was reached in the civil lawsuit.
Criminal trial, commonly used in media.
He was acquitted in the criminal lawsuit.
The company had a lawsuit filed against it by a former employee.
A class-action lawsuit was filed in the US.