How to say "indictment" in Japanese

• 告発こくはつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers indictment in the loose sense of accusing someone of wrongdoing, often publicly or before the authorities; it is really 'accusation' or 'denunciation', and is not the technical term for the formal criminal charge.
  彼かれは無実むじつの罪つみで告発こくはつされている。↗

  He is under a false accusation.
• 起訴きそCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbIndictment in the sense of the formal act of charging someone with a crime; this is the word for the prosecutor's bringing of charges against a suspect.
  地方ちほう検事けんじは彼かれを盗ぬすみと殺人罪さつじんざいで起訴きそした。↗

  The district attorney indicted him for theft and murder.
• 訴追そついCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbAlso indictment as the bringing of criminal charges, close in meaning to 起訴; it views prosecution as the authorities pursuing a case against the accused.
• 公訴こうそCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe legal term for a criminal prosecution brought by the state rather than a private party; choose this when 'indictment' refers to the formal public charge in criminal proceedings.

Use 起訴, 訴追, or 公訴 for indictment as the formal act of charging someone with a crime, 公訴 stressing the state's public prosecution; 告発 is a broader accusation or denunciation, not the technical legal charge.

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

• 告発こくはつindictment
• 起訴きそprosecution
• 訴追そついprosecution
• 公訴こうそ(public) prosecution
• 問罪もんざいaccusation
• 起訴状きそじょう(written) indictment