Translation guide
The act of taking something (especially money or property) dishonestly for one's own use, often in violation of trust or duty.
To express the dishonest taking of money or assets entrusted to one's care, such as embezzlement or misuse of company funds.
The standard legal and general term for embezzlement or misappropriation of funds by someone in a position of trust.
彼は会社の資金を横領した。
He misappropriated company funds.
Often used for pocketing money or valuables, especially in a business or organizational context. Slightly less formal than 横領.
経理担当が売上金を着服していた。
The accounting clerk was misappropriating the sales proceeds.
Emphasizes the act of using entrusted money for personal purposes, often implying gradual misappropriation.
彼は組合の金を使い込んでいた。
He was misappropriating union funds.
Diversion of funds or resources from their intended purpose, not necessarily for personal gain but still unauthorized.
予算の流用が問題になった。
The misappropriation of the budget became an issue.
To express the unauthorized use or theft of creative works, inventions, or concepts.
Directly means 'theft of use', commonly used for plagiarism or unauthorized use of someone else's work.
彼のデザインの盗用が発覚した。
The misappropriation of his design was uncovered.
A phrase meaning 'unauthorized use', often used in legal contexts for intellectual property.
写真の無断使用は著作権侵害です。
Unauthorized use of photographs is a copyright infringement.
Colloquial term for snatching or stealing something (including ideas or credit) that belongs to someone else.
To express the adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, especially when done inappropriately or without acknowledgment.
The direct translation of 'cultural appropriation', widely used in academic and social discourse.
そのファッションは文化の盗用だと批判された。
That fashion was criticized as cultural misappropriation.
A more colloquial and slightly stronger expression, implying a sense of theft.
それは文化の横取りに当たる行為だ。
That act amounts to cultural misappropriation.
横領 is the most formal and legal term for embezzlement. 着服 is common in business contexts for pocketing money. 使い込み emphasizes the gradual misuse of entrusted funds, often over time.
The English word 'misappropriation' covers a wide range of dishonest taking. In Japanese, the specific term depends heavily on context (money, ideas, culture). Using a generic translation like 不正使用 may sound unnatural or vague.
彼は私のアイデアを横取りした。
He misappropriated my idea.