Chinese word

被告

Pronunciation

Pinyinbèi gào

Meaning

  • noundefendant

Example

他是这起案件的被告。tā shì zhè qǐ àn jiàn de bèi gào

He is the defendant in this case.

Illustration for 被告 (defendant)

More examples

审判中，被告保持沉默。shěn pàn zhōng bèi gào bǎo chí chén mò

During the trial, the defendant kept silent.

Core concept

The party named in a court case as the one facing a claim or charge, without saying how the case will end.

Common phrases

  • 被告人bèi gào rén

    defendant

  • 被告当庭认罪bèi gào dāng tíng rèn zuì

    defendant admits guilt in court

  • 被告被判有罪bèi gào bèi pàn yǒu zuì

    defendant is found guilty

Similar words

原告yuán gào: A person or organization that brings a case against another party in court.
嫌疑人xián yí rén: A person suspected of committing a crime, whether or not formal charges have been filed.
被害人bèi hài rén: A person who suffers harm in a crime or accident.
当事人dāng shì rén: A person directly involved in a particular case, event, or dispute.

Definition in Chinese

在法院审理中被指控、作为应诉一方的个人或单位，指自然人时常写作“被告人”，但不等于已被判有罪。zài fǎ yuàn shén lǐ zhōng bèi zhǐ kòng zuò wéi yīng sù yì fāng de gè rén huò dān wèi zhǐ zì rán rén shí cháng xiě zuò bèi gào rén dàn bù děng yú yǐ bèi pàn yǒu zuì

Word origin

被告 (bèigào, "defendant") combines 被 (bèi, "to undergo") with 告 (gào, "to accuse or bring a case"), portraying the party who receives a legal accusation.

Usage tips

  • This word is formal rather than a general label for a wrongdoer, so it fits reports about a legal case better than casual descriptions of someone's behavior.

Opposites

Related words

  • 被告人bèi gào réndefendantnoun
  • 被告席bèi gào xídefendant's seatnoun

Word lists with this word