有罪

• Reading: ゆうざい
• Romaji: yuuzai
• Kanji breakdown: 有 (yuu) — have, exist, possess; 罪 (zai) — crime, sin, guilt
• Pronunciation: /jɯː.zai/

Meaning

Guilt; culpability. The legal determination that a person committed the crime charged.

A noun and no-adjective meaning 'guilty' or 'culpable' in legal contexts. The opposite of 無罪 (muzai, not guilty). Key collocations include 有罪判決 (yuuzai hanketsu, guilty verdict), 有罪が確定する (yuuzai ga kakutei suru, guilt is confirmed), and 有罪率 (yuuzairitsu, conviction rate).

Examples

1. 被告は詐欺罪で有罪の判決を受けた。 The defendant was found guilty of fraud.
2. 有罪が確定すれば懲役刑が科される。 Once guilt is confirmed, a prison sentence will be handed down.
3. 陪審員の全員が有罪と判断した。 All members of the jury determined the defendant was guilty.

Usage Guide

Context: law, courts, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 有 (yuu, have/exist) + 罪 (zai, crime/sin/guilt). Literally 'having guilt' — the state of bearing criminal liability.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal