Translation guide
The English verb 'detain' can mean to hold someone in custody, to delay someone, or to keep someone in a place. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning, from formal police detention to casual delays.
When authorities officially hold someone for questioning or as a suspect.
Formal term for detaining someone in custody, often used in legal contexts.
警察は容疑者を拘留した。
The police detained the suspect.
Legal term for detention, often used for pre-trial custody.
裁判官は勾留を認めた。
The judge approved the detention.
Literally 'restrain the person', used for physical detention by authorities.
犯人の身柄を拘束した。
They detained the perpetrator.
When you cause someone to be late or stay longer than planned.
To stop someone from leaving, often by talking or asking them to stay.
友達に引き止められて遅刻した。
I was detained by a friend and ended up being late.
To cause a delay, more general than 'detain' but can be used for people.
To cause someone to take extra time, implying they were held up by something.
渋滞に手間取らされた。
I was detained by traffic.
When someone is made to stay in a location, often against their will or due to circumstances.
To keep someone in a place, often used in formal or written contexts.
彼は病院に留め置かれた。
He was detained at the hospital.
To lock someone in or confine them, stronger than 'detain'.
To prevent someone from leaving, literally 'stop their feet', often due to weather or circumstances.
大雪で足止めされた。
We were detained by heavy snow.
Both mean detention, but 勾留 is a stricter legal term for pre-trial custody, while 拘留 is a broader term for holding someone in custody.
警察は彼を10日間拘留した。
The police detained him for 10 days.
勾留期間は最大20日間です。
The detention period is up to 20 days.
English 'detain' for delays is often translated as 引き止める or 遅らせる. Using 拘留する for a casual delay sounds like an arrest.
すみません、ちょっと引き止められて。
Sorry, I was detained for a bit.
The meeting detained me.
Implies physical confinement, may be too strong for simple detention.
子供を部屋に閉じ込めないで。
Don't detain the child in the room.