検事

けんじ

public prosecutor

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Role

The word 検事 (けんじ) refers to a public prosecutor in the Japanese legal system. This person is responsible for investigating crimes, gathering evidence, and deciding whether to bring charges against suspects in court.

Usage in Context

You will often see 検事 used in news reports, legal dramas, and formal discussions about the justice system. It is a formal term and typically appears in professional or official contexts.

Common Collocations

  • 検事が起訴する (the prosecutor indicts): used when the prosecutor formally charges someone.
  • 検事の質問 (prosecutor's questions): common in court or investigation settings.
  • 検事として働く (work as a prosecutor): describing someone's profession.

Important Notes

When using 検事, remember it specifically means the public prosecutor, not a defense lawyer or judge. Learners sometimes confuse 検事 with 弁護士 (lawyer), but 検事 is the side that prosecutes in criminal cases.

Understanding 検事 helps you grasp discussions about legal procedures and criminal justice in Japanese.

Example Sentences

けんじはしょうこをしんちょうにしらべてからきそをけっていした。

The prosecutor carefully examined the evidence before deciding to indict.

かれはけんじとしておおくのむずかしいじけんをたんとうしている。

He is handling many difficult cases as a public prosecutor.

けんじのしつもんにこたえるときは、せいかくにじじつをのべることがじゅうようだ。

When answering the prosecutor's questions, it is important to state the facts accurately.