Japanese word

加害者

Pronunciation

Romajikagaisha

Meaning

  • nounperpetrator

Example

その加害者は警察に捕まりました。so no ka gai sha wa kei satsu ni tsuka ma ri ma shi ta

The perpetrator was caught by the police.

Illustration for 加害者 (perpetrator)

More examples

裁判所は加害者に賠償を命じました。sai ban sho wa ka gai sha ni bai shō o mei ji ma shi ta

The court ordered the perpetrator to pay compensation.

Core concept

Refers to the person whose actions bring harm or wrongdoing to others.

Common phrases

  • 加害者を訴えるka gai sha o utta e ru

    sue the perpetrator

  • 加害者に賠償を求めるka gai sha ni bai shō o moto me ru

    seek compensation from the perpetrator

Similar words

犯罪者hanzaisha: A person who commits a crime, whether or not a specific crime is under discussion.
犯人hannin: A person who has committed a specific crime.

Definition in Japanese

他人に害を与える行為をした者や、事故などで責任を負う者。ta nin ni gai o ata e ru kō i o shi ta mono ya ji ko na do de seki nin o o u mono

Word origin

加 (ka, "add") and 害 (gai, "harm") combine with 者 (sha, "person") to mean a person who adds harm to others.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often meet perpetrator in the phrase alleged perpetrator, which avoids stating guilt before a court has decided the case.

Other meanings

  • offendernoun
  • aggressornoun
  • at-fault partynoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word