被告

This term is a formal legal designation used exclusively in the context of a court of law. While often translated as "defendant" in English, Japanese makes a critical distinction between civil and criminal cases.

In civil litigation (民事訴訟), the party being sued is called the "被告" (hikoku). In contrast, in criminal proceedings (刑事訴訟), the person accused of a crime is specifically referred to as the "被告人" (hikokunin). While "被告" is sometimes used loosely in casual conversation to refer to both, in any formal or legal document, this distinction is absolute.

The register is highly formal and objective. It is used by judges, lawyers, and in news reports. It does not carry an emotional tone of its own, but rather defines a legal status within the judicial system.