被害者
higaisha[çiɡa̠iɕa̠]
The English phrase "victims" is translated into Japanese as 被害者 (higaisha).
被害者 is used to refer to people who have suffered harm or damage, particularly in legal, news or official contexts such as crimes or specific incidents involving harm.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 被 (damage/harm), 害 (harm/injury) and 者 (person), literally meaning "person who suffered harm".
Which one should you use?
While 被害者 refers to someone who has suffered harm or damage, often in legal or crime contexts, 犠牲者 emphasizes the sacrifice or loss endured by individuals, often used for victims of accidents, wars or disasters.
How does it change in a sentence?
The base form 被害者 can be used for both singular and plural contexts. If you wish to make the plurality explicit, you can add the plural suffix たち to form 被害者たち.
How do you pronounce it?
higaisha
Did you know?
- In Japanese news reports, the word 被害者 is often replaced by the phrase 被害に遭った方 (higaisha ni atta kata), which translates to 'person who encountered damage' to sound more polite and empathetic.
- The term 犠牲者 (giseisha) is used for victims of disasters, but the word 犠牲 (gisei) also refers to the ritual animal sacrifices of ancient history.
- While English uses 'victim' for both criminals' targets and accident survivors, Japanese speakers often switch to 犠牲者 (giseisha) when the person died, as it carries a weight of 'sacrifice'.
Examples in context
- 幾人かの被害者は大津波を観測して目を覆うような惨状だったと思っているそうです。It is said that several victims of the tsunami think that the devastation they saw was the kind that made you cover your eyes.This sentence uses 被害者 to describe people affected by a tsunami.Tatoeba #792573 by marloncori, translation #1943647 by Denizar
- 被害者の方々に、心からお見舞い申し上げます。We sincerely offer our condolences to the victims.
- 被災者の方々に支援をお願いします。Please provide support to the victims of the disaster.
- 犯罪の被害者が増えています。hanzai no higaisha ga fuete imasu.The number of crime victims is increasing.
- 彼は詐欺の被害者でした。kare wa sagi no higaisha deshita.He was a victim of fraud.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about a news report on the TV.
- 美咲 Misakiこのニュース、本当にひどいね。kono nyūsu, hontō ni hidoi ne.This news is really terrible.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん。被害者の数がどんどん増えているよ。un. higaisha no kazu ga dondon fuete iru yo.Yeah. The number of victims is steadily increasing.
- 美咲 Misakiみんなに十分な助けが必要だよね。minna ni jūbun na tasuke ga hitsuyō da yo ne.Everyone needs sufficient help, doesn't she/he?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当にそう思うよ、美咲。hontō ni sō omou yo, Misaki.I really think so, Misaki.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 被害者, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
