Translation guide
The English word "prisoner" can refer to a person held in jail, a captive, or someone deprived of liberty. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 囚人, but other words are used depending on context, such as war prisoners, convicts, or figurative prisoners.
Referring to someone incarcerated in a correctional facility, whether convicted or awaiting trial.
The standard, neutral word for a prisoner in a jail or prison. Suitable for most contexts.
その囚人は独房に入れられた。
The prisoner was put in solitary confinement.
Specifically a convicted prisoner serving a sentence. More formal and legalistic than 囚人.
受刑者の社会復帰を支援するプログラムがある。
There are programs to support the rehabilitation of prisoners.
A prisoner who has not yet been sentenced; a detainee awaiting trial. Used in legal contexts.
未決囚は推定無罪の原則が適用される。
The principle of presumption of innocence applies to unsentenced prisoners.
A person captured and held by an enemy during armed conflict.
The standard term for a prisoner of war (POW).
彼は戦争中に捕虜になった。
He became a prisoner of war during the war.
A person held against their will, not necessarily in a legal prison, such as by kidnappers or in a hostage situation.
Literally 'captured person'. Used for captives in a non-legal sense, such as in stories or news about abductions.
捕らわれ人は地下牢に閉じ込められていた。
The captive was locked in a dungeon.
Specifically a hostage, held to compel a third party to act or refrain from acting.
Someone trapped by circumstances, emotions, or abstract forces, not literally imprisoned.
The pattern 'Xの囚人' means 'a prisoner of X'. It is used metaphorically, e.g., prisoner of love, prisoner of fate.
彼は愛の囚人だ。
He is a prisoner of love.
彼女は過去の囚人になっている。
She has become a prisoner of the past.
The verb phrase 'に囚われている' means 'to be trapped/captive by'. It describes being bound by an idea, emotion, or situation.
彼は固定観念に囚われている。
He is a prisoner of his own fixed ideas.
囚人 is the general term for a prisoner in a jail or prison. 受刑者 specifically refers to a convicted prisoner serving a sentence, and is more formal. 捕虜 is exclusively for prisoners of war. Use 囚人 unless you need to emphasize conviction or war context.
The English phrase 'take someone prisoner' is not directly translated as 囚人を取る. Instead, use 捕虜にする (for war) or 捕まえる/拘束する (for capturing someone). For example: 'They took him prisoner' → 彼を捕虜にした (war context) or 彼を拘束した (general capture).
囚人が刑務所から脱走した。
The prisoner escaped from jail.
彼は2年間捕虜として拘束されていた。
He was held as a prisoner of war for two years.
彼女は自分の家で囚人のように感じていた。
She felt like a prisoner in her own home.
犯人たちは人質を取って立てこもった。
The criminals took a prisoner (hostage) and barricaded themselves in.