Translation guide
The concept of slavery in Japanese can be expressed through several terms, each with different historical and contextual nuances. The most common and general term is 奴隷制度 (dorei seido), which refers to the institution of slavery. For the state of being a slave, 奴隷状態 (dorei jōtai) is used. When referring to historical practices like the Atlantic slave trade, 奴隷貿易 (dorei bōeki) is appropriate. In modern contexts, terms like 強制労働 (kyōsei rōdō) (forced labor) may be used for contemporary forms of slavery.
Referring to the system or practice of owning people as property.
The standard term for the institution of slavery. It is widely understood and used in historical and social discussions.
アメリカでは1865年に奴隷制度が廃止された。
Slavery was abolished in the United States in 1865.
奴隷制度は人類の歴史において大きな汚点だ。
Slavery is a major stain on human history.
A shorter form of 奴隷制度, often used in compound words or academic contexts.
古代ローマの奴隷制について研究している。
I am researching slavery in ancient Rome.
Describing the condition or status of being enslaved.
Literally 'slave state', used to describe the condition of being a slave or being in bondage.
彼らは奴隷状態に置かれていた。
They were kept in slavery.
The word for 'slave'. Can be used to refer to the state of being a slave in certain contexts, but primarily means the person.
彼は奴隷として売られた。
He was sold into slavery.
Referring to the buying and selling of slaves, especially historically.
Specifically refers to the slave trade, such as the Atlantic slave trade.
奴隷貿易は何百万人ものアフリカ人の生活を破壊した。
The slave trade destroyed the lives of millions of Africans.
Referring to contemporary forms of slavery, such as human trafficking or forced labor.
Forced labor. This is the most common term used in modern contexts to describe slavery-like conditions.
多くの移民が強制労働を強いられている。
Many immigrants are forced into slavery.
Using 'slavery' metaphorically to describe being controlled by something, like addiction or work.
While 奴隷制度 is the institution, simply using 奴隷 (slave) may not always convey the abstract concept of slavery. Use 奴隷状態 or rephrase with 奴隷として (as a slave) when describing someone's condition.
奴隷制度 refers to the historical institution of chattel slavery, while 強制労働 is a broader term for forced labor, often used in modern legal and human rights contexts. For contemporary issues, 強制労働 is more appropriate unless specifically drawing a parallel to historical slavery.
Human trafficking. Often overlaps with modern slavery.
人身売買は現代の奴隷制度だ。
Human trafficking is modern-day slavery.