Japanese word

被告人

Pronunciation

Romajihikokunin

Meaning

  • noundefendant

Example

弁護士は被告人と話しました。ben go shi wa hi koku nin to hana shi ma shi ta

The lawyer spoke with the defendant.

Illustration for 被告人 (defendant)

More examples

検察官は被告人に質問をしました。ken satsu kan wa hi koku nin ni shitsu mon o shi ma shi ta

The prosecutor questioned the defendant.

Core concept

It names the person formally prosecuted in a criminal case, while leaving the question of guilt undecided.

Common phrases

  • 被告人を有罪と認定するhi koku nin o yū zai to nin tei su ru

    find the defendant guilty

  • 被告人の権利hi koku nin no ken ri

    the defendant's rights

  • 被告人に判決を言い渡すhi koku nin ni han ketsu o i i wata su

    sentence the defendant

Similar words

被告hikoku: A person designated as the defendant in a legal case, whether criminal or civil.

Definition in Japanese

起訴され、刑事裁判で審理を受ける人。ki so sa re kei ji sai ban de shin ri o u ke ru hito

Word origin

The compound 被告人 (hikokunin, "defendant") joins 被告 (hikoku, "accused person") with 人 (nin, "person"); 被告 joins 被 (hi, "be subjected to") with 告 (koku, "report or accuse").

Usage tips

  • English accused can refer broadly to a person alleged to have committed a crime, whereas 被告人 (hikokunin, "defendant") marks the formal criminal-defendant status after prosecution begins.

Other meanings

  • accusednoun

Opposites

  • 原告genkokuplaintiffnoun

Word lists with this word