Translation guide
The English word "witness" covers several distinct concepts: a person who sees an event, a person who testifies in court, the act of seeing something, and more. Japanese uses different words and phrases for each meaning.
Referring to someone who personally observes an accident, crime, or other incident.
There were no witnesses to the crime. · She was a witness to the car crash.
The most common and neutral term for an eyewitness to an event, especially a crime or accident.
警察は目撃者を探しています。
The police are looking for witnesses.
彼は事故の唯一の目撃者だった。
He was the only witness to the accident.
Primarily means a witness in a legal or formal context, but can also refer to someone who attests to a fact. Less common for casual eyewitness situations.
彼はその契約の証人になった。
He acted as a witness to the contract.
Verb meaning "to witness" or "to observe" an event. Used in news reports or formal descriptions.
多くの人がその事件を目撃した。
Many people witnessed the incident.
A person who gives evidence in a legal proceeding.
The standard legal term for a witness in court. Used in both criminal and civil cases.
証人は真実を述べなければならない。
The witness must tell the truth.
弁護士が証人に尋問した。
The lawyer questioned the witness.
Idiomatic phrase meaning "to take the witness stand."
彼女は証人台に立つのが怖かった。
She was afraid to take the witness stand.
The action of witnessing an event, often used as a verb.
The most direct verb for "to witness" an event, especially something dramatic or newsworthy.
私たちは歴史的瞬間を目撃した。
We witnessed a historic moment.
彼はUFOを目撃したと主張している。
He claims to have witnessed a UFO.
Means "to be present at" or "to witness" an event, often with a sense of official observation or attendance.
Simple verb "to see." Can be used in casual contexts, but lacks the weight of "witness." Use with care.
Too vague for most "witness" contexts; use 目撃する for dramatic or important events.
Someone who observes the signing of a legal document and confirms it.
Used for a witness to a document, such as a will or contract.
遺言書には証人が二人必要です。
A will requires two witnesses.
Specifically a person who witnesses a formal procedure, like a signing or ceremony.
The statement or proof given by a witness.
Testimony or witness statement, especially in court.
彼の証言は信頼できる。
His witness testimony is reliable.
Evidence in a broader sense, not limited to witness statements.
A person who testifies to their faith, sometimes to the point of death.
Used in Christian contexts for a witness to faith, similar to "martyr" in some uses.
彼は信仰の証人として生きた。
He lived as a witness to his faith.
Specifically a martyr, one who dies for their faith.
目撃者 (mokugekisha) is an eyewitness to an event, like a crime or accident. 証人 (shounin) is a legal witness in court or to a document. Use 目撃者 for seeing something happen; use 証人 for formal testimony or signing.
目撃者の証言が決め手となった。
The eyewitness's testimony was decisive.
証人は法廷で宣誓した。
The witness took an oath in court.
English uses 'witness' as a verb very broadly ('we witnessed a change'). Japanese often uses more specific verbs like 目撃する (for visual events) or 経験する (for experiencing changes). Avoid directly translating 'witness' as 見る in formal or dramatic contexts.
私はその事故の目撃者でした。
I was a witness to the accident.
証人は偽りの証言をした。
The witness gave false testimony.
私たちはテクノロジーの大きな変化を目の当たりにしている。
We are witnessing a major shift in technology.
目の当たりにする is a common phrase for witnessing something striking.
I witnessed the signing of the contract.
Did anyone see the accident?
Please sign as a witness.
The evidence reveals the truth of the incident.
多くの殉教者がこの地で亡くなった。
Many witnesses (martyrs) died in this place.