How to Say "Sin" in Japanese - How To Say Guide

罪

tsumi[t͡sɨmʲi]

The English word "sin" is translated into Japanese as 罪 (tsumi).

罪 refers to a misdeed or sin. It is a versatile term used in both religious contexts regarding moral sin and legal contexts regarding crimes.

Meaning: misdeed (noun)

Which one should you use?

The Japanese term 罪 is used for both.

To express the action of committing a sin or a crime, use the verb phrase 罪を犯す. The adjective form of the noun is 罪深い, which means "sinful".

tsumi

The concept of 罪 is often paired with 穢れ 'kegare' (impurity) in Shinto tradition, where sin is treated as a stain to be washed away rather than a permanent mark on the soul.
The phrase 罪を犯す (tsumi o okasu) is the standard way to say 'to commit a sin', but the verb 犯す is the same one used for 'to violate' or 'to rape', adding a very strong connotation.
The word 罪 appears in the phrase 罪悪感 'zaiakukan', which refers to a 'feeling of guilt'. In English, 'guilt' is an emotion, but in Japanese, the word is literally built from 'sin' and 'evil'.

私は罪を告白した。
I confessed my sin.
This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to use 罪 when confessing.
Tatoeba #156840 by tommy_san, translation #257693 by CK
彼は死んで罪を償った。
He committed suicide to atone for his sin.
This sentence shows how 罪 is used in the context of atonement.
Tatoeba #8788747 by small_snow, translation #297234 by CM
豚肉を食べることは罪ですか？
Is eating pork a sin?
This sentence shows a question about whether an action is considered a sin.
Tatoeba #8817382 by bunbuku, translation #953999 by CK
あんなひどいことをするなんて、罪だよ
It's a sin to do something so terrible.
あんたの行為は大きな罪過やで
Your actions are a grave sin.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Kenta and Himari are discussing a movie about a criminal.

健太 Kenta

彼は自分の罪を認めましたか？
Kare wa jibun no tsumi o mitomemashita ka?
Did he admit his sin?
陽葵 Himari

いいえ、最後まで否定していました。
Iie, saigo made hitei shite imashita.
No, he denied it until the end.
健太 Kenta

罪を隠して生きるのは辛いですね。
Tsumi o kakushite ikiru no wa tsurai desu ne.
It must be hard to live while hiding a sin.
陽葵 Himari

本当にそうだと思います。
Hontō ni sō da to omoimasu.
I really think so too.

Sources

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