Japanese word

被告

Pronunciation

Romajihikoku

Meaning

  • noundefendant

Example

裁判官が被告に質問します。sai ban kan ga hi koku ni shitsu mon shi ma su

The judge asks the defendant questions.

Illustration for 被告 (defendant)

More examples

被告は法廷で自分の考えを述べます。hi koku wa hō tei de ji bun no kanga e o no be ma su

The defendant states their views in court.

Core concept

Refers to the person who must respond in court to a formal accusation or claim.

Common phrases

  • 被告の立場hi koku no tachi ba

    defendant's position

  • 被告の権利hi koku no ken ri

    defendant's rights

Similar words

被告人hikokunin: The person accused in a criminal case who must answer the charge in court.

Definition in Japanese

刑事裁判で起訴され、または民事裁判で訴えられた人。kei ji sai ban de ki so sa re ma ta wa min ji sai ban de utta e ra re ta hito

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 被告 (hikoku, "defendant") combines 被 (hi, "to receive or be subjected to") and 告 (koku, "to report or accuse"), expressing a person subject to an accusation.

Usage tips

  • In a civil case, the defendant answers the plaintiff's claim, while in a criminal case, the defendant faces a charge brought by the state.

Opposites

  • 原告genkokuplaintiffnoun

Word lists with this word