Translation guide
The English word 'innocent' covers several distinct meanings: not guilty of a crime, lacking experience or worldly knowledge, harmless, and free from evil intent. Japanese uses different words and phrases for each. This guide breaks them down by meaning.
Expressing that someone is not guilty of a crime or has been proven innocent.
The standard legal term for 'not guilty'. Used in court verdicts and formal contexts.
彼は無罪だと証明された。
He was proven innocent.
裁判所は被告を無罪とした。
The court found the defendant innocent.
Literally 'there is no crime/guilt'. A more general way to say someone is innocent of a specific act.
彼には罪がないと思う。
I think he is innocent.
Means 'innocence' in the sense of being pure and untainted by wrongdoing. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
Describing someone who is simple, trusting, or unaware of the darker sides of life, often in a childlike way.
Innocent in a childlike, carefree way. Often positive, implying purity and lack of guile.
子供の無邪気な笑顔が好きだ。
I love children's innocent smiles.
彼女は無邪気に質問した。
She asked the question innocently.
Pure, genuine, untainted. Can describe a person's heart or intentions. Often used for innocent love or motives.
Literally 'not knowing the world'. Naive, inexperienced about how society works. Can be slightly negative.
Innocent and naive, especially in romantic or sexual matters. Often used for young people.
彼女はまだうぶで、恋愛経験が少ない。
She's still innocent and has little romantic experience.
Describing something that is not dangerous, offensive, or intended to hurt.
Literally 'harmless'. Used for substances, animals, remarks, etc.
この化学物質は無害です。
This chemical substance is harmless.
彼の冗談は無害なものだった。
His joke was innocent/harmless.
A more colloquial way to say 'there is no harm'.
この薬は副作用の害がない。
This medicine has no harmful side effects.
Specifically means 'without ill intent'. Used when someone's actions or words were not meant to hurt.
彼は悪気がなかったんだ。
He didn't mean any harm; he was innocent.
Describing a person whose intentions are good and not malicious.
Literally 'there is no malice'. A straightforward way to say someone's intentions are innocent.
彼の発言に悪意はなかった。
There was no malice in his statement; it was innocent.
Good intentions, goodwill. Often used in the phrase '善意で' (in good faith).
彼は善意でやったのだ。
He did it with innocent intentions.
The katakana word イノセント is used in some product names or titles but is not a natural way to express 'innocent' in everyday Japanese. Stick to the Japanese words above.
「イノセント」は日常会話では使いません。
We don't use 'innocent' (as a loanword) in everyday conversation.
無邪気 (mujaki) emphasizes childlike playfulness and lack of guile. 純粋 (junsui) emphasizes purity of heart or motives. A person can be 純粋 without being 無邪気.
彼女は無邪気だが、純粋ではない。
She is innocent/childlike, but not pure-hearted.
彼の潔白を信じている。
I believe in his innocence.
彼の純粋な気持ちを傷つけてはいけない。
You mustn't hurt his innocent feelings.
彼は世間知らずだから、騙されやすい。
He's innocent of the ways of the world, so he's easily fooled.