Translation guide
The English word 'offense' covers several distinct concepts: a violation or crime, the act of attacking, causing hurt feelings, and the sports position. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
A breach of law or rule; an illegal act.
General term for crime or criminal offense. Used in legal and everyday contexts.
He committed an offense.
Violation of a specific rule, law, or regulation (e.g., traffic violation). Often used in compound terms.
I paid a fine for a parking offense.
Sin, guilt, or crime. Can carry moral or religious weight, but also used in legal contexts.
His offense is serious.
The team or side that is trying to score; the act of attacking.
Something that causes resentment, anger, or hurt; taking offense.
To hurt someone's feelings; to offend. Common phrase for causing offense.
His words caused offense to her.
To make someone angry; to offend. More direct than 気分を害する.
The joke gave offense to him.
Rudeness, disrespect. Often used in the phrase 無礼な (rude).
Insult, affront. Stronger than 無礼, implies deliberate disrespect.
To feel hurt or insulted by something.
To get angry, take offense. Literally 'to raise the belly', a common idiom.
He took offense at the criticism.
To hurt one's feelings, to offend. Literally 'to touch one's spirit'.
To be offended, to get huffy. Describes a sudden feeling of displeasure.
She took offense at the joke.
English 'offense' is often used in phrases like 'no offense' or 'take offense'. These do not translate directly into Japanese. Use the phrases provided in the 'causing hurt feelings' and 'taking offense' sections instead.
犯罪 (hanzai) is a general term for crime, while 違反 (ihan) is a violation of a specific rule or regulation. Use 違反 for traffic tickets, rule-breaking in sports, etc.
No offense, but I think you're wrong.
A natural way to soften criticism without directly translating 'no offense'.
He was arrested for a minor offense.
The team's offense was unstoppable.
彼はオフェンスの要だ。
He is the key player on offense.
His attitude is an offense.
That is an offense.
彼の言い方が気に障った。
His way of speaking gave offense.