Translation guide
The English word 'offence' covers several distinct meanings: a crime or illegal act, the act of causing hurt feelings or resentment, and in sports, the attacking side. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each context.
Referring to a violation of the law, a criminal act.
General term for crime or criminal act. Used in legal and everyday contexts.
彼は犯罪を犯した。
He committed a crime.
犯罪率が下がっている。
The crime rate is decreasing.
Violation, often of rules, regulations, or traffic laws. Less serious than 犯罪.
交通違反で罰金を払った。
I paid a fine for a traffic violation.
Sin, guilt, or crime. Often used in moral or religious contexts, but can refer to legal guilt.
彼は自分の罪を認めた。
He admitted his guilt.
The act of upsetting or insulting someone, or the feeling of being insulted.
Insult, affront. A direct act of disrespect.
それは彼に対する侮辱だ。
That is an insult to him.
To hurt someone's feelings, to offend. Common, natural phrase.
彼の言葉は彼女の気分を害した。
His words offended her.
気分を害したらごめんなさい。
I'm sorry if I offended you.
To make someone angry. Often used when offence leads to anger.
彼の冗談が彼女を怒らせた。
His joke offended her (made her angry).
Rudeness, impoliteness. Describes behavior that causes offence.
In team sports, the players or strategy focused on scoring.
Attack, offense. Used in sports and military contexts.
そのチームは攻撃が強い。
That team has a strong offense.
Loanword from English, used in sports commentary.
The phrase 'take offence' is best expressed with 気分を害する or 怒る, not a direct translation of 'take'.
彼はその冗談に気分を害した。
He took offence at the joke.
犯罪 (crime) is for serious illegal acts, while 違反 (violation) is for breaking rules or regulations, like traffic laws.
殺人は重大な犯罪です。
Murder is a serious crime.
駐車違反で切符を切られた。
I got a ticket for a parking violation.
駐車違反で切符を切られた。
I got a ticket for a parking violation.
His attitude was offensive.
オフェンスの戦略を変えた。
They changed their offensive strategy.