無実の
mujitsu no
The Japanese word for innocent (meaning not legally responsible for a wrongful act) is 無実の (mujitsu no).
無実の is used to describe someone who is free from a specific criminal charge or wrongful act. It is distinct from words like 純粋, which describes innocence in the sense of being pure or naive.
Meaning: not legally responsible for a wrongful act (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The core of this expression is 無実, which consists of 無 (meaning 'none' or 'without') and 実 (meaning 'truth' or 'reality'). In the context of an accusation, it literally translates to being 'without truth' or 'falsehood'.
How do you pronounce it?
mujitsu no
Did you know?
- The character 実 used in 無実 is the same character found in the word for 'fruit' or 'product', suggesting that 'truth' is something tangible that can be harvested or verified.
- In Japanese courtrooms, a defendant rarely says 私は無実です to claim innocence. Instead, they often use the phrase 否認します, which means 'I deny the charges'.
- Japanese has a specific word 無辜 that describes 'innocent' people who are victims of a disaster or war. This is distinct from 無実, which focuses on the lack of guilt in a crime.
Examples in context
- 彼女は無罪だと確信している。She firmly believes that she is innocent.
- 子供の純真さは爽やかだ。The innocence of children is refreshing.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are discussing a news report about a court case.
- 陽葵 Himariあの被告人は本当に有罪だと思いますか？Ano hikokunin wa hontō ni yūzai da to omoimasu ka?Do you really think that defendant is guilty?
- 健太 Kentaいいえ、彼は無実の可能性が高いと思います。Iie, kare wa mujitsu no kanōsei ga takai to omoimasu.No, I think there is a high possibility he is innocent.
- 陽葵 Himari証拠が不十分に見えますよね。Shōko ga fujūbun ni miemasu yo ne.The evidence seems insufficient, doesn't it?
- 健太 Kentaはい。本当は無実のはずです。Hai. Hontō wa mujitsu no hazu desu.Yes. He should be innocent in reality.
