Translation guide
The concept of immunity in English can refer to medical resistance to disease, legal exemption from prosecution, or general protection from something undesirable. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
The body's ability to resist infection or disease, often through antibodies or vaccination.
The standard medical term for immunity. Used for both natural and acquired immunity.
ワクチンで免疫がつく。
You develop immunity through vaccination.
彼ははしかに対する免疫がある。
He has immunity to measles.
Literally 'resistance power'. Used more broadly for the body's ability to fight off illness, not strictly medical 'immunity'.
睡眠不足で抵抗力が落ちる。
Lack of sleep lowers your resistance.
Specifically 'antibodies'. Used in medical contexts when talking about the presence of antibodies.
抗体検査で免疫の有無を調べる。
Check for immunity with an antibody test.
Protection from legal consequences, such as prosecution, lawsuits, or penalties.
Legal term meaning exemption from responsibility or liability. Commonly used in phrases like 免責特権 (immunity privilege).
証言と引き換えに免責が与えられた。
He was granted immunity in exchange for his testimony.
Specifically 'criminal immunity', exemption from criminal prosecution.
刑事免責を条件に情報を提供した。
He provided information on condition of criminal immunity.
Being shielded from harm, criticism, or negative consequences in a non-medical, non-legal sense.
Verb meaning 'to escape' or 'to be exempt from' something negative. Often used in the form 〜を免れる.
彼は批判を免れた。
He was immune to criticism. (lit. He escaped criticism.)
その地域は戦火を免れた。
The area was spared from the war. (immune to war damage)
Literally 'unrelated', used to mean 'free from' or 'immune to' in the sense of not being affected by something.
Literally 'not affected by'. A straightforward way to express immunity to influence or effects.
彼女は周りの意見に影響を受けない。
She is immune to the opinions of others.
While 免疫 is the direct translation for 'immunity', it is almost exclusively used in medical/biological contexts. Using it for legal or general protection will sound unnatural. Use 免責 for legal immunity and phrases like 免れる or 無縁 for general exemption.
Parliamentary immunity from arrest, specifically for legislators during sessions.
国会議員には不逮捕特権がある。
Diet members have immunity from arrest.
He is immune to that kind of trouble.