Translation guide
The crime of killing a person without the intent to kill (malice aforethought) that would make it murder. In Japanese law, this corresponds most closely to 過失致死 (involuntary manslaughter through negligence) or 傷害致死 (death resulting from bodily injury).
Killing caused by criminal negligence or recklessness, without intent to kill or cause serious harm.
The standard legal term for causing death through negligence. Often used in the compound 過失致死罪 (crime of negligent homicide).
He was charged with involuntary manslaughter.
The crime of negligent homicide. Used in formal legal contexts.
He was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Professional negligence resulting in death. Applies when death is caused by negligence in the course of professional duties (e.g., medical malpractice, industrial accidents).
The doctor was arrested for professional negligence resulting in death.
Intentional killing that would otherwise be murder but is mitigated by circumstances such as provocation, sudden passion, or diminished mental capacity.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'homicide with consideration of extenuating circumstances.' Japanese law does not have a direct equivalent of voluntary manslaughter; this phrase explains the concept.
Due to extenuating circumstances, he was charged with manslaughter rather than murder.
Death resulting from bodily injury. In Japanese law, if a person intentionally inflicts injury but death results, it is 傷害致死, which carries a lighter penalty than murder. This can cover some cases of voluntary manslaughter.
In everyday English, 'manslaughter' may be used loosely to refer to any killing that is not cold-blooded murder. In Japanese, this concept is usually explained rather than translated with a single word.
Literally 'homicide without intent to kill.' Use this phrase to explain the general idea of manslaughter in non-legal contexts.
It was a killing without intent to kill, like manslaughter.
An archaic or literary term for voluntary manslaughter, sometimes used in historical or comparative law contexts. Not used in modern Japanese criminal law.
過失致死 (negligent homicide) involves no intent to harm; death results from carelessness. 傷害致死 (death by injury) involves intent to cause bodily harm, but not to kill. Both are treated as less severe than murder (殺人).
Causing death in a traffic accident often results in a charge of negligent homicide.
Japanese criminal law does not have a separate category for voluntary manslaughter. Mitigating circumstances are handled through sentencing discretion or by charging with 傷害致死 instead of 殺人. Avoid using 故殺 in modern contexts unless discussing legal history.
Not a direct translation of voluntary manslaughter, but often the charge in cases where death results from an assault without intent to kill.
If you hit someone in a fight and they die, you can be charged with manslaughter (death by injury).
Anglo-American law distinguishes between murder and manslaughter.
If the victim dies as a result of an assault, the charge is death by injury.