Translation guide
A person who commits rape. In Japanese, the most common and direct term is 強姦犯, but other expressions exist depending on context, formality, and legal usage.
To refer to a person who has committed rape, in general or non-legal contexts.
The standard, direct translation. Used in news, formal contexts, and everyday speech. Literally 'rape criminal'.
警察は強姦犯を逮捕した。
The police arrested the rapist.
Common in media and casual conversation. Uses the loanword 'rape' plus 'criminal'.
To refer to a rapist in legal documents, court proceedings, or formal reports.
The legal term under current Japanese law (since 2017). 'Forcible sexual intercourse crime perpetrator'. Used in legal contexts.
強制性交等罪の犯人は懲役10年を言い渡された。
The rapist was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
To refer to the person who committed rape in a particular case, often without labeling them as a 'rapist' in general.
Literally 'the criminal man'. Used when the gender is known and the crime is understood from context. Common in news reports.
犯人の男は現場から逃走した。
The rapist fled the scene.
When discussing a specific case, Japanese often uses more indirect terms like 犯人 (criminal) or 加害者 (perpetrator) rather than explicitly saying 'rapist'. This can be more natural and less sensational.
強姦犯 is the native Japanese term and is standard in formal writing. レイプ犯 is a loanword-based term common in casual speech and tabloid media. Both are widely understood, but 強姦犯 is preferred in serious contexts.
そのレイプ犯はまだ捕まっていない。
That rapist hasn't been caught yet.
Literally 'rape demon'. Used in sensational media or fiction to emphasize the monstrous nature of the perpetrator. Not used in formal or legal contexts.
彼は連続強姦魔として知られている。
He is known as a serial rapist.
The older legal term (before 2017). Still sometimes used in historical or older legal contexts.
旧刑法では、強姦罪の犯人はより軽い刑罰だった。
Under the old criminal law, rapists received lighter sentences.
General term for 'perpetrator' or 'offender'. Used when the specific crime is clear from context, often in discussions of victim support.
被害者は加害者と対面することを拒んだ。
The victim refused to face the rapist.