弾劾

• Reading: だんがい
• Romaji: dangai
• Kanji breakdown: 弾 (dan/tama) — to attack, accuse, bullet; 劾 (gai) — to indict, to censure
• Pronunciation: /daɴ.ɡaɪ/

Meaning

Impeachment; denunciation; censure. A formal charge or process brought against a public official for misconduct, abuse of power, or violation of duty.

In the Japanese legal system, the 弾劾裁判所 (Court of Impeachment) is the body by which the National Diet can remove judges found guilty of misconduct. More broadly, 弾劾 refers to any formal challenge or public condemnation of a person in authority. The concept is well-known internationally through US presidential impeachment proceedings.

Examples

1. 汚職が発覚した大統領は議会から弾劾された。 The president, whose corruption had come to light, was impeached by parliament.
2. 裁判官の罷免には弾劾裁判所による手続きが必要だ。 The removal of a judge requires proceedings through the Court of Impeachment.
3. 野党は閣僚の言動を問題視し、弾劾決議案を提出した。 The opposition took issue with a cabinet minister's conduct and submitted a motion for impeachment.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, law, governance, judicial

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 弾 (to attack, to flick, to accuse) and 劾 (to indict, to censure). Together they convey the formal act of accusing and condemning someone in power.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal