被告

• Reading: ひこく
• Romaji: hikoku
• Kanji breakdown: 被 (hi) — to receive, to suffer; 告 (koku) — to tell, to accuse
• Pronunciation: /çi.ko.kɯ/

Meaning

Defendant; the accused. The person against whom a legal action is brought.

A noun used in legal contexts for the person facing charges in court. In criminal cases, the full term is 被告人 (hikoku-nin), while in civil cases, 被告 alone is used. News reports often use 被告 after a person's name once they have been formally charged.

Examples

1. 被告は無罪を主張した。 The defendant claimed innocence.
2. 被告の弁護士が反論を述べた。 The defendant's lawyer made a rebuttal.
3. 裁判で被告に質問が行われた。 The defendant was questioned during the trial.

Usage Guide

Context: law, news, court

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Composed of 被 (to receive, to suffer) and 告 (to tell, to accuse). Together they mean the person who has received an accusation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal