情状

• Reading: じょうじょう
• Romaji: jōjō
• Kanji breakdown: 情 (jō) — feeling, circumstances; 状 (jō) — condition, state
• Pronunciation: /dʑoːdʑoː/

Meaning

Circumstances; conditions surrounding an act; mitigating factors considered in judgement.

A formal noun used predominantly in legal and quasi-legal contexts. 情状酌量 (jōjō shakuryō) is the standard phrase meaning 'consideration of mitigating circumstances' in criminal proceedings. Outside law, it can describe the full context that explains why someone acted a certain way.

Examples

1. 弁護士は被告人の情状を丁寧に説明した。 The lawyer carefully explained the defendant's mitigating circumstances.
2. 情状を鑑みれば、厳罰だけが解決策ではない。 Considering the circumstances, harsh punishment alone is not the solution.
3. 彼の行為には同情すべき情状があると裁判官は認めた。 The judge acknowledged that there were extenuating circumstances in his actions.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, judicial, formal writing

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 情 (emotion, feeling, situation) and 状 (condition, state of affairs). Together they denote the full situational and emotional backdrop of an event.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional