Translation guide
The act of obtaining something, especially money, through force or threats. In Japanese, this is expressed with specific nouns and verbs depending on the context, such as criminal extortion, blackmail, or metaphorical 'highway robbery' pricing.
The illegal act of forcing someone to give money or property by threatening harm, exposure, or other consequences.
The standard legal and general term for extortion; obtaining money or goods through intimidation or threats.
彼は恐喝の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of extortion.
恐喝事件が増えている。
Extortion cases are increasing.
Refers to the act of threatening or intimidation, often used in legal contexts for extortion when combined with taking money. It emphasizes the threat itself.
脅迫して金を奪うのは重罪だ。
Threatening someone and taking their money is a serious crime.
Colloquial term for extortion or blackmail, often implying a shakedown or racketeering. Can be written as 強請り.
あの男はゆすりで生計を立てている。
That guy makes a living through extortion.
Forcing someone to do something against their will, including handing over money. Often used in legal terms like 強要罪 (coercion).
金を出すように強要された。
I was forced to hand over money.
A specific type of extortion where the threat is to expose embarrassing, damaging, or incriminating information unless money is paid.
恐喝 covers blackmail as a form of extortion. It is the general term.
彼は秘密をばらすと恐喝した。
He extorted money by threatening to reveal the secret.
Descriptive phrase: 'to threaten and demand money'. Useful when you want to be explicit about the threat and demand.
彼はスキャンダルをネタに脅迫して金を要求した。
He used the scandal as leverage to threaten and demand money.
Informal, metaphorical use of 'extortion' to describe prices that are unreasonably high, as if one is being forced to pay.
Colloquial noun/na-adjective meaning a rip-off or overcharging. Often used for taxis, bars, or tourist traps.
この店はぼったくりだ。
This place is a rip-off.
ぼったくり価格に注意。
Watch out for extortionate prices.
Literally 'outrageous price'. A more formal way to describe extortionate pricing.
そのホテルは法外な値段を請求してきた。
That hotel charged an extortionate price.
Idiom meaning 'to take advantage of someone's weakness', often used when a seller charges a high price knowing the buyer has no choice.
観光客だと分かると足元を見て高い料金をふっかける。
Once they know you're a tourist, they take advantage and charge high prices.
恐喝 (extortion) specifically involves obtaining property or money through threats. 脅迫 (intimidation/threat) is the act of threatening itself, which may be part of extortion but is a separate crime. You can be charged with both if you threaten someone and take their money.
彼は脅迫罪と恐喝罪で起訴された。
He was indicted on charges of intimidation and extortion.
強盗 (ごうとう) means robbery, which involves direct force or threat of immediate harm to take property. Extortion (恐喝) typically involves threats of future harm or exposure. Using 強盗 for extortion would be incorrect.
恐喝は強盗とは異なる犯罪です。
Extortion is a different crime from robbery.