1.
(police) detective
A plainclothes police officer who investigates crimes.
刑事が事件を調べている。
A detective is investigating the case.
あの刑事ドラマは人気がある。
That detective drama is popular.
ベテランの刑事が現場に到着して、すぐに聞き込みを始めた。
A veteran detective arrived at the scene and immediately began questioning people.
2.
criminal (matters)
Relating to criminal law or cases.
刑事事件として扱われた。
It was handled as a criminal case.
彼は刑事責任を問われた。裁判は来月始まる予定だ。
He was held criminally liable. The trial is scheduled to begin next month.
刑事裁判と民事裁判は手続きが違う。
Criminal trials and civil trials have different procedures.
刑事 has two main uses.
AS 'DETECTIVE':
- Refers to plainclothes police officers
- Often featured in crime dramas (刑事ドラマ)
AS 'CRIMINAL' (prefix/adjective):
- 刑事事件 (criminal case)
- 刑事裁判 (criminal trial)
- 刑事責任 (criminal liability)
- 刑事罰 (criminal punishment)
CONTRAST:
- 刑事 (criminal) ↔ 民事 (civil)
- 刑事裁判 (criminal trial) ↔ 民事裁判 (civil trial)