Translation guide
The English word 'casualty' refers to people who are killed, injured, or otherwise affected by an accident, disaster, or conflict. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese, covering deaths, injuries, and broader impacts.
To refer to someone who has been killed or injured in an accident, natural disaster, or similar event.
The most direct and common translation for 'casualty' in the sense of dead and injured people. Used in news reports and formal contexts.
その事故で多数の死傷者が出た。
The accident caused many casualties.
Means 'victim' and can be used for casualties in a broader sense, including those affected by crimes or disasters. Often implies suffering harm.
地震の被害者は数千人に上った。
The earthquake casualties numbered in the thousands.
Literally 'sacrifice' or 'victim', often used for fatalities or those who suffer greatly. Can carry a nuance of tragic loss.
戦争の犠牲者は数え切れない。
The casualties of war are countless.
Specifically means 'injured person'. Use when you want to distinguish the injured from the dead.
負傷者はすぐに病院に運ばれた。
The casualties (injured) were taken to the hospital immediately.
To refer to soldiers or civilians killed or injured during war or combat.
Specifically means 'war dead' or 'killed in action'. Common in military contexts.
その戦闘で多くの戦死者が出た。
The battle resulted in many casualties (deaths).
Also used in military contexts for dead and wounded combined.
Used for war victims, emphasizing the tragic sacrifice.
To refer to non-human losses, such as equipment, buildings, or abstract things, that are 'casualties' of a situation.
Can be used metaphorically for things that are sacrificed or lost. Often used in phrases like '犠牲になる' (become a casualty).
予算削減の犠牲になったプロジェクト。
Projects that became casualties of budget cuts.
Means 'damage' or 'harm'. Can be used for things that suffer damage, like 'casualties' in a figurative sense.
To refer to the hospital department or a patient arriving for emergency treatment (UK usage).
Means 'emergency patient'. Use this when talking about a person arriving at the ER.
救急患者が次々と運ばれてきた。
Casualties were brought in one after another.
Refers to the 'emergency department' or 'casualty department' (UK).
彼は救急外来で治療を受けた。
He was treated in casualty.
死傷者 (shishousha) specifically means dead and injured people, often in accidents. 犠牲者 (giseisha) implies sacrifice or tragic death, common in war or disasters. 被害者 (higaisha) is a broader term for victim, including crime or damage.
事故の死傷者は10人だった。
There were 10 casualties in the accident.
津波の犠牲者が多数出た。
There were many casualties (victims) of the tsunami.
詐欺の被害者が増えている。
The number of fraud victims is increasing.
The direct loanword カジュアルティ (kajuaruti) is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to the native terms above.
Enemy casualties were enormous.
Civilian casualties are increasing.
Many cars were casualties of the storm.