Translation guide
The English word 'lockdown' refers to a security measure where people are confined to a specific area, often due to an emergency. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best translation depends on the context: a prison lockdown, a school lockdown, or a pandemic stay-at-home order.
To describe a situation where inmates or residents are confined to their cells or rooms as a security measure.
The loanword 'ロックダウン' is widely understood in Japanese, especially in news contexts. It can refer to prison lockdowns or broader emergency confinements.
刑務所でロックダウンが行われた。
A lockdown was implemented at the prison.
A formal term meaning 'strict alert posture', used for heightened security measures in facilities.
刑務所は厳重警戒態勢に入った。
The prison went into a strict alert posture.
Literally 'closure measures', this can be used for lockdowns in facilities but is less common for prisons.
施設の閉鎖措置が取られた。
Closure measures were taken for the facility.
To describe a situation where a school or office is secured due to an external threat, with people sheltering in place.
Means 'emergency evacuation measures'. Often used in drills or actual incidents at schools.
学校で緊急避難措置が発令された。
An emergency lockdown was issued at the school.
Literally 'school lockdown/blockade'. Used specifically for securing a school building.
不審者情報により校内封鎖が行われた。
A school lockdown was conducted due to a report of a suspicious person.
The loanword is also used for school lockdowns, especially in news reports.
To describe government orders restricting movement and requiring people to stay home during a pandemic.
The official term for a state of emergency declaration in Japan, which includes requests to stay home. Not a strict lockdown, but the closest legal equivalent.
政府は緊急事態宣言を発令した。
The government issued a state of emergency declaration.
Means 'request to refrain from going out'. This is the typical measure in Japan, which is voluntary rather than enforced.
都道府県は外出自粛要請を出した。
The prefecture issued a stay-at-home request.
Used in media to describe strict lockdowns in other countries. In Japan, it often implies a legally enforced confinement, which was not implemented.
Literally 'city blockade'. Used for strict lockdowns like those in Wuhan, but not for Japan's measures.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Japan did not implement legally enforced lockdowns. The government issued '緊急事態宣言' (state of emergency) and '外出自粛要請' (requests to stay home), which were voluntary. Using 'ロックダウン' to describe Japan's situation may be misleading.
日本ではロックダウンではなく、外出自粛要請が出された。
In Japan, it wasn't a lockdown but a stay-at-home request that was issued.
'ロックダウン' implies strict, enforceable confinement with penalties, as seen in some countries. '緊急事態宣言' is a legal framework that allows governors to request closures and staying home, but without penalties. For Japan's context, use '緊急事態宣言' or '外出自粛要請'.
海外のロックダウンは罰則付きだが、日本の緊急事態宣言は要請ベースだ。
Overseas lockdowns come with penalties, but Japan's state of emergency is request-based.
暴動の後、刑務所はロックダウンされた。
The prison is on lockdown after the riot.
今日、学校で緊急避難訓練が行われた。
Schools practiced lockdown drills today.
Uses '緊急避難訓練' (emergency evacuation drill) which includes lockdown procedures.
ウイルスのため、その都市はロックダウンに入った。
The city went into lockdown due to the virus.
The school was locked down.
In Japan, 'ロックダウン' may be misunderstood as a legally enforced measure, which did not occur during COVID-19. Use with care.
海外では都市全体のロックダウンが行われた。
Overseas, entire cities were put under lockdown.
武漢は都市封鎖された。
Wuhan was locked down.