Translation guide
The English word "lawsuit" refers to a legal case brought to court. In Japanese, the most common and direct equivalent is 訴訟 (そしょう), but depending on context, other terms like 裁判 (さいばん) or 告訴 (こくそ) may be more appropriate. This guide helps you choose the right word based on the type of legal action and level of formality.
To refer to a lawsuit in a broad sense, such as filing a case or being involved in litigation.
The standard term for a lawsuit, covering both civil and criminal cases. Used in formal and legal contexts.
彼は会社に対して訴訟を起こした。
He filed a lawsuit against the company.
その訴訟は長引いている。
The lawsuit has been dragging on.
Literally 'trial' or 'court case', often used interchangeably with lawsuit in everyday conversation. Slightly less formal than 訴訟.
裁判に勝った。
I won the lawsuit.
裁判を起こすつもりです。
I intend to file a lawsuit.
To specify a lawsuit over non-criminal matters like contracts, damages, or family issues.
The precise term for a civil lawsuit. Used in legal contexts.
これは民事訴訟です。
This is a civil lawsuit.
To refer to a criminal case brought by the state against an individual.
The formal term for a criminal lawsuit or criminal procedure.
刑事訴訟が始まった。
The criminal lawsuit has begun.
To express the action of initiating a lawsuit.
The most common phrase for 'to file a lawsuit'. Literally 'to raise a lawsuit'.
彼らは損害賠償を求めて訴訟を起こした。
They filed a lawsuit seeking damages.
A slightly more casual way to say 'to file a lawsuit', often used in spoken Japanese.
裁判を起こすと脅された。
I was threatened with a lawsuit.
A formal, legal term meaning 'to file a suit' or 'to bring an action'. Used in written legal documents.
原告は裁判所に提訴した。
The plaintiff filed a lawsuit with the court.
To express that someone is the defendant in a lawsuit.
Passive form of 訴える (to sue), meaning 'to be sued'. Very common.
彼は隣人に訴えられた。
He was sued by his neighbor.
Passive form of 訴訟を起こす, meaning 'to have a lawsuit filed against one'.
会社は元従業員に訴訟を起こされた。
The company had a lawsuit filed against it by a former employee.
To refer to a lawsuit filed by a group of people with a common claim.
The standard term for a class-action lawsuit in Japan.
消費者が集団訴訟を起こした。
Consumers filed a class-action lawsuit.
訴訟 (そしょう) specifically means 'lawsuit' or 'litigation', emphasizing the legal action itself. 裁判 (さいばん) means 'trial' or 'court case', focusing on the court proceedings. In many contexts they overlap, but 訴訟 is more formal and precise for the act of suing, while 裁判 is broader and can refer to any court case, including criminal trials not initiated by a private lawsuit.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all uses of 'lawsuit'. Avoid directly translating 'lawsuit' as 訴訟 in every case; sometimes 裁判 or a verb phrase like 訴える is more natural. For example, 'I'm involved in a lawsuit' is often 裁判中です (さいばんちゅうです) rather than 訴訟中です, though both are possible.
彼らは裁判外で和解した。
They settled the lawsuit out of court.
和解 (わかい) means settlement. 裁判外 (さいばんがい) means out of court.
Civil trial or civil case, often used in news reports.
民事裁判で和解が成立した。
A settlement was reached in the civil lawsuit.
Criminal trial, commonly used in media.
彼は刑事裁判で無罪となった。
He was acquitted in the criminal lawsuit.
Loanword from English, sometimes used in international contexts, but 集団訴訟 is preferred.
アメリカでクラスアクションが提起された。
A class-action lawsuit was filed in the US.