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Word 831 of 4449

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時効

じこう

statute of limitations; prescription

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. この事件はすでに時効だ。

    このじけんはすでにじこうだ。

    The statute of limitations has already run out on this case.

  2. 時効が成立する前に犯人が捕まった。

    じこうがせいりつするまえにはんにんがつかまった。

    The culprit was caught before the statute of limitations expired.

  3. 昔の失敗の話なら、もう時効でしょう。

    むかしのしっぱいのはなしなら、もうじこうでしょう。

    If it's about a mistake from long ago, surely we can let it go by now.

Common patterns

時効が成立する
the limitation period expires
時効になる
to pass the statute of limitations
時効を迎える
to reach the limitation deadline

Memory tip

Beyond the courtroom, Japanese speakers use 時効 jokingly for anything too old to be held against you — もう時効だから言うけど…, 'it's past the statute of limitations, so I'll admit it now'. That casual use is very common.

Kanji in this word

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What does 時効 mean?