Translation guide
A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill their obligations under a legally binding agreement. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific legal terms, common business phrases, and everyday expressions depending on context.
To refer to a breach of contract in a legal, formal, or written context, such as in contracts, lawsuits, or official documents.
The standard legal term for breach of contract. Used in formal documents, court cases, and business correspondence.
契約違反で訴えられた。
They were sued for breach of contract.
これは重大な契約違反です。
This is a serious breach of contract.
A legal term meaning 'default on an obligation' or 'non-performance of a debt'. Often used in the context of financial or contractual obligations.
債務不履行による損害賠償を請求する。
We will claim damages for breach of contract.
A concise term for breach of contract, often used in compound words like 違約金 (penalty for breach). Less common as a standalone word.
違約金を支払う。
Pay a penalty for breach of contract.
To express that someone broke a promise or agreement in everyday or business conversation, without necessarily implying a formal legal breach.
Literally 'break a promise'. This is the most common way to say someone failed to keep an agreement, ranging from casual to business settings.
彼は約束を破った。
He broke his promise.
納期の約束を破られて困っている。
I'm in trouble because they broke their promise on the delivery date.
Means 'to cancel/rescind a contract', often due to a breach by the other party. Implies a formal termination.
相手方が契約違反をしたので、契約を破棄した。
We rescinded the contract because the other party breached it.
A verb phrase meaning 'to violate a contract'. Slightly more formal than 契約違反をする.
その行為は契約に違反する。
That action violates the contract.
To emphasize the failure to fulfill a specific obligation, such as non-payment or non-delivery.
Means 'non-performance' or 'default'. Often used in compound terms like 債務不履行 (default on a debt) or 履行遅滞 (delay in performance).
契約の不履行があった。
There was a failure to perform the contract.
A verb meaning 'to neglect' or 'to fail to do'. Used when someone neglects their contractual duties.
契約違反 (keiyaku ihan) is a formal legal term specifically for breach of a written or legally binding contract. 約束を破る (yakusoku o yaburu) is a general expression for breaking any kind of promise or agreement, and can be used in casual or business contexts. Use 契約違反 for legal matters and 約束を破る for everyday broken promises.
口約束を破っただけでは契約違反にはならない。
Just breaking a verbal promise does not constitute a breach of contract.
The English phrase 'breach of contract' is often translated directly as 契約の侵害 (keiyaku no shingai), but this is not natural Japanese. Stick to the terms provided.
彼は支払いを怠った。
He neglected to make the payment (breached the payment obligation).