Meaning and Usage
"没収" (ぼっしゅう) means the act of confiscating or forfeiting property, usually by an authority such as the police, customs, or a school. It is a formal term often used in legal, official, or administrative contexts.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "没収" used when referring to illegal items, contraband, or prohibited goods being taken away by authorities. It also appears in situations like exams where forbidden items (like phones) are taken away.
Collocations and Patterns
- "没収される" (to be confiscated): the passive form commonly used to describe items being taken away.
- "没収する" (to confiscate): the active form.
- "没収の対象" (subject to confiscation): used to describe items liable to be confiscated.
Register and Nuance
"没収" is a formal and somewhat legalistic term. It is not used casually but rather in official announcements, reports, or formal conversations about rules and regulations.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "没収" with "取り上げる" which also means "to take away." However, "没収" implies an official or legal seizure, often permanent, while "取り上げる" can be temporary or less formal.