前科

• Reading: ぜんか
• Romaji: zenka
• Kanji breakdown: 前 (zen/mae) — prior, before; 科 (ka) — offence, penalty, category
• Pronunciation: /zeɴ.ka/

Meaning

Criminal record; prior conviction. A formal record of previous criminal convictions held against a person.

Having a 前科 (prior conviction) in Japan carries significant social and legal consequences, including restrictions on employment, professional licensing, and overseas travel. It is distinguished from 前歴 (prior arrest without conviction). 前科者 (person with a criminal record) carries a strong social stigma in Japan's relatively conformist society.

Examples

1. 前科があると就職活動で不利になることが多い。 Having a criminal record often puts one at a disadvantage when looking for work.
2. 彼には窃盗で前科が一件あることが判明した。 It came to light that he had one prior conviction for theft.
3. 前科を持つ人への社会復帰支援が不十分だという指摘がある。 There are concerns that support for people with criminal records to reintegrate into society is insufficient.

Usage Guide

Context: law, crime, employment, social issues

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 前 (previous, prior) and 科 (offence, subject, category). The character 科 in 前科 refers to criminal charges or penalties. The same 科 appears in 科料 (fine) and 刑事科 (criminal division).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal