Translation guide
This guide covers how to express the idea of a minor offense or petty crime in Japanese, from legal terms to everyday expressions for small misdeeds.
To refer to a minor crime or violation in a legal or official context.
The standard legal term for a minor offense or misdemeanor. Often used in the context of the Minor Offenses Act (軽犯罪法).
彼は軽犯罪で罰金を科せられた。
He was fined for a minor offense.
A more formal or literary term for a petty crime or minor offense. Often used in legal discussions.
微罪であっても、法律は守らなければならない。
Even if it's a minor offense, you must obey the law.
To describe a minor wrongdoing in daily life, such as a small rule violation or petty misbehavior.
Literally 'light violation', a natural way to say minor offense in everyday contexts.
スピード違反は軽い違反だと思われがちだ。
Speeding is often thought of as a minor offense.
A casual way to say 'a minor violation' or 'a little offense'.
駐車違反はちょっとした違反だけど、罰金は高い。
Illegal parking is a minor offense, but the fine is high.
A somewhat formal or literary term for a minor fault or offense. Not commonly used in daily conversation.
To refer to a minor penalty or foul in sports.
Used in sports contexts to mean a minor foul.
審判は軽いファウルを取らなかった。
The referee didn't call the minor foul.
Direct loanword from English 'minor foul', used in some sports contexts.
バスケットボールでは、マイナーファウルはよくある。
In basketball, minor fouls are common.
軽犯罪 is the common legal term for minor offenses, often associated with the Minor Offenses Act. 微罪 is a more formal or academic term for petty crimes and is less frequently used in everyday speech.
Directly translating 'minor offense' as 小さい犯罪 (chiisai hanzai) sounds unnatural. Use the terms provided above depending on context.
Rather than blaming minor offenses, we should focus on bigger issues.