noun, na-adjective, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Core meaning: a morally or legally wrong act. Covers both religious sin and secular crime. Can be used adjectivally with な or の.
彼は罪を犯して刑務所に入った。
He committed a crime and went to prison.
うそをつくのは罪だと思う。
I think lying is a sin.
noun
Refers to the punishment or sentence for a crime, not the act itself. Often used in legal or judgmental contexts.
裁判官は被告に重い罪を言い渡した。
The judge handed down a heavy sentence to the defendant.
noun
fault; responsibility; culpability
Used when assigning blame or responsibility for a negative outcome. Common in phrases like 罪を着せる (pin the blame on someone).
事故の罪は運転手にある。
The fault for the accident lies with the driver.
noun, na-adjective
thoughtlessness; lack of consideration
A mild, often self-deprecating use, expressing regret for one's own inconsiderate action. Frequently in set phrases like 罪なことをした (I did something thoughtless).
彼女の気持ちを考えずに発言して、罪なことをした。
I spoke without considering her feelings; that was thoughtless of me.
罰 is a concrete punishment or penalty (e.g., a fine, detention), while 罪 can refer to the crime itself, the moral wrong, or the resulting sentence.
犯罪 is a formal, legal term for a criminal act. 罪 is broader, covering sin, moral fault, and blame in everyday language.
The kanji 罪 originally depicted a net (罒) and wrong (非), suggesting entanglement in wrongdoing. The reading つみ is native Japanese, with uncertain deeper origin.