Japanese word

拷問

Pronunciation

Romajigōmon

Meaning

  • nountorture

Example

その国では拷問が法律で禁じられています。so no kuni de wa gō mon ga hō ritsu de kin ji ra re te i ma su

Torture is prohibited by law in that country.

Illustration for 拷問 (torture)

More examples

授業では、拷問を禁止する国際的な決まりについて学びます。ju gyō de wa gō mon o kin shi su ru koku sai teki na ki ma ri ni tsu i te mana bi ma su

In class, we learn about international rules that ban torture.

Core concept

Refers to the intentional infliction of extreme pain or suffering on a person for punishment, coercion, or interrogation.

Common phrases

  • 拷問を受けるgō mon o u ke ru

    undergo torture

  • 拷問にかけるgō mon ni ka ke ru

    torture

  • 拷問を禁止するgō mon o kin shi su ru

    ban torture

  • 拷問をなくすgō mon o na ku su

    eliminate torture

Similar words

虐待gyakutai: Cruel or harmful treatment that causes serious physical or mental suffering, often over time.
責め苦semeku: Severe physical or mental torment inflicted on someone, often as punishment or coercion.

Definition in Japanese

罰や脅迫、情報の入手などを目的として、人に激しい苦痛を加えること。batsu ya kyō haku jō hō no nyū shu na do o moku teki to shi te hito ni hage shi i ku tsū o kuwa e ru ko to

Word origin

拷 (gō, "torture") and 問 (mon, "question") form this Sino-Japanese compound for the infliction of severe pain during questioning or punishment.

Usage tips

  • The word is used in Japanese discussions of history, law, and human rights, where it usually describes a serious abuse rather than ordinary harsh treatment.

Related words

  • 拷問者gōmonshatorturernoun

Word lists with this word