crime · guilt

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 罪 has 13 strokes and denotes a crime, wrongdoing, or guilt.
• Basic usage: 罪 is read つみ, and 犯罪 is read はんざい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 罪 and 犯罪
  • 罪 means crime or guilt.
  • 裁判で被告は自分の罪を認めました。 means “The defendant admitted his crime in court.”
  • 犯罪 means crime.
  • 地域で犯罪を防ぐため夜間の照明を増やした。 means “We increased nighttime lighting to prevent crime in the area.”