Translation guide
The English word "lockup" can refer to a place of temporary confinement (like a jail cell), the act of securing something, or a state of being locked. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to a place where people are temporarily detained, such as a police station holding cell or a short-term jail.
A police detention facility where suspects are held for a short period before formal charges or trial. This is the most direct equivalent for 'lockup' in the sense of a temporary holding cell.
He was put in the lockup.
A detention center for suspects awaiting trial or for those serving short sentences. Slightly more formal than 留置所, but often used interchangeably in news reports.
The suspect was transferred to the lockup.
A colloquial term for jail or prison, often used in casual conversation. Can sound a bit old-fashioned or rough.
I got drunk and thrown in the lockup.
Slang for a police cell or jail, literally 'pig box'. Very informal and derogatory; used mainly in criminal or tough-guy contexts.
He's headed for the lockup.
The action of locking something securely, such as a door, a building, or an object.
The most common way to say 'lock up' as an action. Literally 'apply a lock'. Used for doors, windows, safes, etc.
Please make sure to lock up before you leave.
A formal term for locking, often used in written instructions or official contexts. Implies a thorough locking of doors, gates, etc.
Specifically refers to locking up all doors and windows of a house or building, often as part of a security routine.
I checked the lockup before going to bed.
Describing something that is in a locked state, such as a door, a safe, or a mechanism.
The standard way to say 'is locked'. Literally 'the lock is applied'. Used for doors, lockers, etc.
The door was locked up.
A loanword from English, commonly used for electronic locks, smartphones, or digital security. Less natural for traditional doors.
My phone is locked up and I can't use it.
A period during which shares or assets cannot be sold, often after an IPO.
The direct loanword term used in financial contexts. Widely understood in business Japanese.
The lockup period after an IPO is typically 180 days.
A more descriptive Japanese term meaning 'sale restriction period'. Used in formal documents but less common than the loanword.
The English word 'lockup' is often used informally for a jail cell. In Japanese, directly translating 'lock' and 'up' (e.g., 鍵をかける上) makes no sense. Use the specific terms for detention facilities.
留置所 (ryūchijo) is a police holding cell for short-term detention, often before indictment. 拘置所 (kōchisho) is a detention center for suspects awaiting trial or serving short sentences. In casual English, both might be called 'lockup', but the legal distinction matters in Japanese.
Please lock up the front entrance at night.
The lockup period has ended.