Translation guide
The deliberate and systematic destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the term ジェノサイド (jenosaido), a loanword from English, or the native term 集団虐殺 (shūdan gyakusatsu). The choice depends on context and formality.
Referring to the concept of genocide in general, in news, academic, or formal contexts.
The most common and widely understood term, used in media, international discourse, and everyday conversation. It is a direct loanword from English.
ルワンダのジェノサイドは1994年に起きた。
The Rwandan genocide occurred in 1994.
A native Japanese compound meaning 'mass slaughter of a group'. It is more formal and often used in legal or historical contexts. It can sound more severe or academic than ジェノサイド.
ナチスによるユダヤ人の集団虐殺はホロコーストとして知られている。
The mass slaughter of Jews by the Nazis is known as the Holocaust.
Literally 'ethnic cleansing'. This term is sometimes used interchangeably with genocide in media, but it specifically refers to the forced removal or killing of an ethnic group from a territory. It is a calque from English and carries political connotations.
ボスニア紛争では民族浄化が行われた。
Ethnic cleansing was carried out during the Bosnian conflict.
In legal documents, international treaties, or academic papers discussing the crime of genocide.
Refers to the Genocide Convention. The term ジェノサイド is standard in legal contexts.
日本はジェノサイド条約を批准している。
Japan has ratified the Genocide Convention.
A legal term meaning 'crime of mass killing'. It is used in Japanese criminal law and international law discussions, but is less common than ジェノサイド.
国際刑事裁判所は集団殺害罪を裁く。
The International Criminal Court tries the crime of genocide.
Referring to a particular historical genocide, such as the Holocaust or the Armenian genocide.
Specifically refers to the Holocaust. While not a direct translation of 'genocide', it is the standard term for that event and is often used when discussing genocide in a historical context.
ホロコーストは600万人のユダヤ人が殺されたジェノサイドだ。
The Holocaust was a genocide in which six million Jews were killed.
Means 'great massacre' or 'massacre'. It can be used for large-scale killings, including genocides, but is broader and less specific. Often used in historical accounts.
Using 'genocide' in a non-literal, exaggerated sense to describe severe oppression or destruction of a culture, language, etc.
Literally 'cultural massacre'. This phrase is used to describe cultural genocide or the destruction of a group's culture. It is not a legal term but is understood in activist and academic circles.
先住民の言語を禁止するのは文化的虐殺だ。
Banning indigenous languages is cultural genocide.
To call something a genocide. This pattern is used when making a strong accusation or comparison, often in political rhetoric.
彼らはその政策をジェノサイドと呼んだ。
They called that policy genocide.
ジェノサイド is the most common and neutral term, used in everyday conversation and media. 集団虐殺 is more formal and often appears in historical or legal texts. 民族浄化 specifically means 'ethnic cleansing' and may not always equate to genocide in legal terms.
ジェノサイドは国際法で禁止されている。
Genocide is prohibited under international law.
集団虐殺の証拠が発見された。
Evidence of mass slaughter was discovered.
While 殺害 (satsugai) means 'killing', it does not convey the systematic, group-targeted nature of genocide. Using it alone would be inaccurate. Always use ジェノサイド, 集団虐殺, or a specific term like ホロコースト.
アルメニア人大虐殺は20世紀初めに起きた。
The Armenian Genocide occurred at the beginning of the 20th century.