虐待

• Reading: ぎゃくたい
• Romaji: gyakutai
• Kanji breakdown: 虐 (gyaku) — cruel, tyrannical, oppress; 待 (tai) — treat, wait
• Pronunciation: /ɡʲa.kɯ.ta.i/

Meaning

Abuse; maltreatment; cruelty. Deliberately causing suffering to those who are vulnerable.

A noun and suru-verb referring to the cruel treatment of people or animals, especially those in a weaker position. Common collocations include 児童虐待 (child abuse), 動物虐待 (animal abuse), and 虐待を受ける (to suffer abuse). A serious term used in social, legal, and news contexts.

Examples

1. 児童虐待の通報件数が年々増加している。 The number of child abuse reports has been increasing year by year.
2. 動物虐待は法律で禁止されている。 Animal abuse is prohibited by law.
3. 虐待を受けた子供へのケアが求められている。 Care for children who have suffered abuse is urgently needed.

Usage Guide

Context: social issues, law, news, welfare

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 虐 (gyaku, cruel/tyrannical) + 待 (tai, treatment/to treat). Literally 'cruel treatment' — deliberate mistreatment of those under one's power.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal