How to say "detention" in Japanese

• 留置りゅうちCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbDetention of a suspect by the police during an investigation, typically while being questioned; it also covers impounding property (poundage).
• 留め置きとめおきCommon
  nounThough it can be translated 'detention', this word chiefly means keeping or retaining something; it is seldom the right choice for holding a person in detention.
• 拘置こうちCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbDetention or confinement of a person by legal authority, typically a suspect held in custody while criminal proceedings are pending.
  三浦みうら容疑者ようぎしゃの拘置こうち中ちゅうの過すごし方かたが明あきらかになった。↗

  It has become clear what murder-suspect Miura's jail lifestyle is like.
• 拘禁こうきんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbConfinement or custody of a person, including internment; it covers holding someone in captivity, whether as a suspect, a prisoner, or an internee.
• 拘留こうりゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCustody or detention of a person by official authority; often found in legal writing and in reference to detention under foreign systems.
  警官けいかんは彼かれを拘留こうりゅうした。↗

  The police held him in custody.

For police detention during investigation use 留置; for legally ordered detention of a suspect use 拘置; 拘禁 covers custody and internment; 拘留 is official custody, often in legal contexts; 「留め置き」 mainly means keeping or retaining, not detaining people.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 留置りゅうちdetention (usu. during investigation)
• 留め置きとめおきdetention
• 拘置こうちdetention
• 拘禁こうきんdetention
• 拘留こうりゅうcustody
• 抑留よくりゅうinternment
• 停船ていせんstopping a ship
• 検束けんそくarrest
• 身柄拘束みがらこうそくphysical restraint (e.g. by police)
• 停留措置ていりゅうそちinvoluntary confinement (of a person suspected of being infected, etc.)
• 在監ざいかんimprisonment
• 収容しゅうようimprisonment
• 居残りいのこりdetention