Translation guide
The English word "killing" can refer to the act of taking a life, a single instance of murder, or the resulting death. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings, from general terms to legal and figurative uses.
Expressing the general action or concept of causing death, often in a violent or intentional manner.
The most common and general term for 'killing' or 'murder' as an act. Used in legal, news, and everyday contexts.
殺人は重罪です。
Killing is a serious crime.
彼は殺人の容疑で逮捕された。
He was arrested on suspicion of killing.
Refers to the act of killing, often used in formal or news reports. Slightly more formal than 殺人.
容疑者は被害者の殺害を認めた。
The suspect admitted to the killing of the victim.
The noun form of 殺す (to kill). More colloquial and direct than 殺人. Often used in casual speech or fiction.
あの映画は殺しのシーンが多すぎる。
That movie has too many killing scenes.
Refers to killing living beings, often in a Buddhist context implying cruelty or the taking of life. Used in religious or ethical discussions.
仏教では殺生は禁じられている。
In Buddhism, killing is forbidden.
Referring to a specific event where someone is killed, often in crime contexts.
Literally 'murder case', this is the standard term for a killing incident in news and police reports.
昨夜、都内で殺人事件が発生した。
A killing occurred in the city last night.
Can also refer to a specific act of killing, often in a more visceral or informal way. Common in mysteries and thrillers.
Focusing on the outcome of a killing, i.e., the death itself, often in statistics or reports.
General term for 'death', used when the result of a killing is emphasized. Common in news and official contexts.
事故による死亡が相次いでいる。
Killings from accidents are occurring one after another.
Means 'the dead' or 'fatalities'. Used when counting victims of a killing event.
そのテロで多数の死者が出た。
The terror attack resulted in many killings.
Using 'killing' in a non-literal sense, such as 'making a killing' (profit) or 'killing time'.
For 'make a killing' meaning to earn a large profit. Literally 'make a big profit'.
彼は株で大儲けした。
He made a killing in the stock market.
For 'killing time', meaning to pass time idly. Literally 'crush time'.
カフェで時間をつぶした。
I killed time at a café.
For 'killing' as in exhausting or causing great pain, e.g., 'My feet are killing me'. Literally 'severely hurt/afflict'.
この靴、足がひどく痛む。
These shoes are killing my feet.
The verb 殺す means 'to kill', but its noun form 殺し is casual and not always appropriate. For formal or general references, use 殺人 or 殺害.
殺人は許されない。
Killing is unforgivable.
殺人 (satsujin) is the general term for murder/homicide and can be used in legal contexts. 殺害 (satsugai) emphasizes the act of killing and is often used in news reports. 殺人 is more common in everyday language.
殺人事件の捜査が進んでいる。
The investigation of the killing is progressing.
彼は妻の殺害を計画した。
He planned the killing of his wife.
This is a premeditated killing.