被告

• Pinyin: bèi gào
• Hanzi breakdown: 被 = 衤(clothing) + 皮, passive marker; 告 = to tell/accuse

Meaning

Defendant; the accused. The person against whom legal action is brought in court.

A legal term referring to the party being sued or prosecuted in court proceedings. Used in both civil (defendant) and criminal (the accused) contexts. The opposite of 原告 (plaintiff/prosecutor).

Examples

1. 被告坚持说自己是无辜的。 The defendant insisted that he was innocent.
2. 法官要求被告在下周一出庭作证。 The judge required the defendant to appear in court and testify next Monday.
3. 在这个案件中，公司是被告，消费者是原告。 In this case, the company is the defendant and the consumer is the plaintiff.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, court

Tone: official

Do Say

• 被告有权保持沉默。(The defendant has the right to remain silent.)
• 被告的律师提出了新的证据。(The defendant's lawyer presented new evidence.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'被告'用于非法律场合 (Don't use 被告 outside legal contexts — in everyday situations, just say the person was accused or blamed)

Origin & History

Compound of 被 (passive marker) + 告 (to accuse, sue), meaning one who is accused/sued.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal