Translation guide
The English word 'offense' covers several distinct concepts: a violation or crime, the act of attacking, causing hurt feelings, and the sports position. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
A breach of law or rule; an illegal act.
General term for crime or criminal offense. Used in legal and everyday contexts.
彼は犯罪を犯した。
He committed an offense.
Violation of a specific rule, law, or regulation (e.g., traffic violation). Often used in compound terms.
駐車違反で罰金を払った。
I paid a fine for a parking offense.
Sin, guilt, or crime. Can carry moral or religious weight, but also used in legal contexts.
彼の罪は重い。
His offense is serious.
The team or side that is trying to score; the act of attacking.
Attack or offense in sports, military, or general contexts. Can be used as a noun or suru-verb.
そのチームは攻撃が強い。
That team has a strong offense.
Loanword from English, used mainly in sports like basketball or American football.
Something that causes resentment, anger, or hurt; taking offense.
To hurt someone's feelings; to offend. Common phrase for causing offense.
彼の言葉は彼女の気分を害した。
His words caused offense to her.
To make someone angry; to offend. More direct than 気分を害する.
その冗談は彼を怒らせた。
The joke gave offense to him.
Rudeness, disrespect. Often used in the phrase 無礼な (rude).
Insult, affront. Stronger than 無礼, implies deliberate disrespect.
それは侮辱だ。
That is an offense.
To feel hurt or insulted by something.
To get angry, take offense. Literally 'to raise the belly', a common idiom.
彼はその批判に腹を立てた。
He took offense at the criticism.
To hurt one's feelings, to offend. Literally 'to touch one's spirit'.
To be offended, to get huffy. Describes a sudden feeling of displeasure.
彼女はその冗談にムッとした。
She took offense at the joke.
English 'offense' is often used in phrases like 'no offense' or 'take offense'. These do not translate directly into Japanese. Use the phrases provided in the 'causing hurt feelings' and 'taking offense' sections instead.
犯罪 (hanzai) is a general term for crime, while 違反 (ihan) is a violation of a specific rule or regulation. Use 違反 for traffic tickets, rule-breaking in sports, etc.
悪く思わないでほしいんだけど、君は間違っていると思う。
No offense, but I think you're wrong.
A natural way to soften criticism without directly translating 'no offense'.
彼は軽い犯罪で逮捕された。
He was arrested for a minor offense.
そのチームの攻撃は止められなかった。
The team's offense was unstoppable.
彼はオフェンスの要だ。
He is the key player on offense.
His attitude is an offense.
彼の言い方が気に障った。
His way of speaking gave offense.