Translation guide
The English word 'siege' refers to a military operation where forces surround a place to cut off supplies and compel surrender. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 包囲 (ほうい), but depending on context, other terms like 籠城 (ろうじょう) for being besieged or 攻城戦 (こうじょうせん) for siege warfare may be used. This guide covers how to express the concept naturally in Japanese.
To describe a military operation where an enemy force surrounds a town, castle, or building to cut off supplies and force surrender.
The standard term for 'siege' as a military encirclement. Can be used as a noun or with する to form a verb.
敵軍が城を包囲した。
The enemy army laid siege to the castle.
包囲を解く。
To lift a siege.
Literally 'castle-attacking battle', used for historical siege warfare, especially in medieval contexts.
この攻城戦は数ヶ月続いた。
This siege lasted for several months.
Refers to being holed up in a castle under siege; the state of being besieged. Often used in historical contexts.
彼らは篭城して戦った。
They held out under siege and fought.
A more formal or literary term for siege, emphasizing the attacking aspect. Less common in everyday language.
攻囲軍が城壁を破った。
The besieging army breached the walls.
To describe a situation where someone is subjected to intense pressure, criticism, or persistent demands, similar to being under siege.
The passive form of 包囲, used figuratively to mean 'to be besieged' by problems, media, etc.
彼は記者団に包囲された。
He was besieged by reporters.
その政治家はスキャンダルで包囲されている。
The politician is under siege from the scandal.
Means to be assailed or bombarded with questions, criticism, etc. Conveys a sense of relentless attack.
彼は質問攻めにされた。
He was besieged with questions.
Literally 'to surge forward', used figuratively for a crowd or demands that feel like a siege.
To describe a situation where police surround a building where a criminal is barricaded inside.
Refers to a barricade incident or hostage situation. The police 'siege' is implied by the surrounding operation.
警察は立てこもり事件で建物を包囲した。
The police surrounded the building in the siege situation.
Literally 'encirclement operation', used for police or military sieges.
包囲作戦が続いている。
The siege operation is ongoing.
包囲 is the general term for siege (encirclement). 攻城戦 specifically refers to the battle to capture a castle/fortress. 篭城 is the act of defending from within a castle under siege. Use 包囲 for most modern and figurative contexts.
包囲網を突破する。
Break through the siege lines.
The English phrase 'under siege' is often translated as 包囲されている, but in figurative contexts, alternatives like 攻め立てられる or 押し寄せられる may be more natural. Avoid direct word-for-word translation.
会社は不祥事で批判に包囲されている。
The company is under siege from criticism over the scandal. (Acceptable but slightly stiff)
会社は不祥事で批判を浴びている。
The company is under fire from criticism over the scandal. (More natural)
抗議の電話が押し寄せた。
Protest calls besieged them.