従犯

• Reading: じゅうはん
• Romaji: jūhan
• Kanji breakdown: 従 (jū/shitaga) — to follow, secondary; 犯 (han/oka) — crime, offence
• Pronunciation: /dʑɯː.haɴ/

Meaning

Accessory; accomplice; secondary offender. A person who aids or abets a crime without being the principal perpetrator.

A legal term contrasted with 主犯 (shuhan, principal offender). 従犯 refers to someone who assists, facilitates, or encourages a crime but does not carry it out directly. Under Japanese criminal law, accessories typically receive reduced sentences compared to the principal.

Examples

1. 彼は強盗事件の従犯として逮捕された。 He was arrested as an accessory to the robbery.
2. 主犯と従犯では量刑が異なる場合が多い。 In many cases, the sentence differs between the principal offender and an accessory.
3. 従犯であっても、犯罪に加担した責任は免れない。 Even as an accessory, one cannot escape responsibility for having participated in a crime.

Usage Guide

Context: law, criminal justice, news

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 従 (to follow, secondary) and 犯 (crime, offence). The character 従 indicates a subordinate or supporting role, distinguishing the accessory from the main perpetrator.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal