How to say "forfeit" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 喪失そうしつnoun, suru verb, transitive verbA noun for the loss of something, such as rights or property — the common, general word for loss. Use it when 'forfeit' means the loss itself rather than the act of taking away.
- 剥奪はくだつnoun, suru verb, transitive verbUse for 'forfeit' when someone is stripped of a right, rank or title — deprivation, where it is taken away, rather than simple loss. Less common than 喪失.
- 召し上げるめしあげるichidan verb, transitive verbA verb for confiscating — an authority taking something away as punishment. It views the event from the confiscator's side, so it is seldom the word you want for 'forfeit'; less common.
- 違約金いやくきんnounA monetary penalty for breaching a contract. It matches 'forfeit' only in that sense — money you must pay under a contract — not for forfeiting games, rights or property.
- 棒に振るぼうにふるexpression, godan verbAn idiom meaning to waste, spoil or ruin something: use it when 'forfeit' means sacrificing something such as one's efforts so that they come to nothing. It has nothing to do with penalties.
Use 喪失 for loss of something, 剥奪 for being stripped of rights or rank, 「召し上げる」 for confiscation by an authority, 違約金 for a contractual penalty payment, and 「棒に振る」 for wasted efforts or ruined plans.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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