The defendant is the party accused or sued in a legal case.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Defendant in legal proceedings.
- Accused party in a lawsuit.
- Faces charges or claims in court.
Overview
被告（bèi gào）是中国法律体系中一个核心的术语，指在刑事或民事诉讼中，被指控犯罪或被原告提起诉讼的一方当事人。在刑事案件中，被告是涉嫌触犯刑法并被检察机关提起公诉的个人或组织。在民事案件中，被告是被原告依法提起诉讼，要求其承担民事责任的个人、法人或其他组织。
被告一词的使用高度依赖于法律语境。它通常与“原告”（yuán gào - plaintiff/prosecutor）、“法院”（fǎ yuàn - court）、“律师”（lǜ shī - lawyer）、“审判”（shěn pàn - trial）等词汇一同出现。在陈述案情时，常说“被告被指控……”或“原告起诉被告……”。在判决书中，也会明确指出“本案被告……”。
**刑事诉讼**: 描述被指控犯罪并接受审判的人，例如：“该被告被控犯有盗窃罪。” 2. **民事诉讼**
指在民事纠纷中被他人告上法庭的一方，例如：“由于合同纠纷，他被列为被告。” 3. 法律新闻: 报道法庭案件时，经常使用该词，例如：“今天开庭审理了一起备受关注的民事案件，被告席上坐着……” 4. 法律文件: 在起诉状、答辩状、判决书等法律文书中是标准用语。
**嫌疑人 (xián yí rén)**
指有证据表明可能犯罪，但尚未被正式起诉的人。在刑事诉讼中，嫌疑人是案件初期阶段的称呼，一旦被检察机关正式起诉，就转变为“被告”。 2. 犯罪嫌疑人 (fàn zuì xián yí rén): 与“嫌疑人”含义基本相同，更强调其与犯罪行为的关联。 3. 罪犯 (zuì fàn): 指已经被法院判决有罪并受到刑罚处罚的人。这是在审判结束后，对已定罪者的称呼，而“被告”是审判过程中的称呼。 4. 当事人 (dāng shì rén): 是一个更广泛的概念，指一切在诉讼中有直接利害关系的个人或组织，包括原告、被告、第三人等。被告是当事人的一种。
Examples
法院传唤了涉嫌经济犯罪的被告。
legalThe court summoned the defendant suspected of economic crimes.
原告律师在法庭上陈述了对被告不利的证据。
formalThe plaintiff's lawyer presented evidence unfavorable to the defendant in court.
他因为酒驾被警察拦下，很快就成了交通事故的被告。
news reportHe was stopped by the police for drunk driving and soon became the defendant in a traffic accident case.
在民事诉讼中，被告有权提出反诉。
academicIn civil litigation, the defendant has the right to file a counterclaim.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
被告人
defendant (often used interchangeably with 被告, especially in formal criminal contexts)
被告席
defendant's dock
被指控为被告
accused as the defendant
Often Confused With
A '嫌疑人' (suspect) is someone believed possibly to have committed a crime but not yet formally charged. A '被告' (defendant) has been formally accused and is facing trial.
The '原告' (plaintiff or prosecutor) is the party initiating the lawsuit or making the accusation, while the '被告' (defendant) is the party being accused or sued.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '被告' is primarily used in formal legal contexts, including court proceedings, legal documents, and official reports. While it can appear in news reporting about legal cases, its usage in casual conversation is less common unless discussing legal matters specifically. It denotes a specific legal status within a trial or investigation.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using '被告' interchangeably with '嫌疑人' (suspect) or '罪犯' (criminal). '被告' refers specifically to the party facing charges in court, not necessarily someone already proven guilty or just under initial suspicion.
Tips
Understand Legal Roles Clearly
Always remember '被告' refers to the party being sued or accused, distinct from the accuser ('原告').
Avoid Equating with Guilt
Being a '被告' does not automatically mean someone is guilty. It's a procedural status until a verdict is reached.
Legal System Terminology
Understanding terms like '被告' is crucial for comprehending legal news and discussions in Chinese-speaking regions.
Word Origin
The term '被告' is composed of '被' (bèi), meaning 'by' or indicating passive voice, and '告' (gào), meaning 'to accuse' or 'to sue'. This directly reflects its meaning as the party who is accused or sued in a legal proceeding.
Cultural Context
In Chinese legal culture, the presumption of innocence is upheld, meaning a '被告' is not considered guilty until proven so in a court of law. The legal system aims for fairness, and the defendant has rights, including the right to legal representation.
Memory Tip
Think of '被' (bèi) as 'by' (passive voice) and '告' (gào) as 'accuse/sue'. So, the '被告' is the one 'being accused' or 'being sued'.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“嫌疑人”是指有证据表明可能犯罪，但尚未被正式起诉的人。当案件进入司法程序，检察机关提起公诉后，嫌疑人就成为了“被告”。
不一定。“被告”只是一个法律上的身份，表示其在诉讼中处于被指控或被诉讼的位置。在刑事案件中，只有经过法院审判并被判定有罪后，才能称为罪犯。在民事案件中，被告可能承担责任，也可能胜诉。
是的，被告有权聘请律师为其辩护或代理。在中国，对于符合条件的刑事被告，法院还会为其指定辩护人。
在民事诉讼中，被告需要根据原告提出的诉讼请求和证据，以及法院的判决来承担相应的民事责任，这可能包括赔偿损失、履行合同义务等。
Test Yourself
在这次庭审中，控方指控_______犯有欺诈罪。
“被告”是在法律诉讼中被指控的一方。
由于未能按时支付租金，房东将租客告上法庭，此时租客的身份是？
在民事诉讼中，被他人提起诉讼要求承担责任的一方是“被告”。
请组合以下词语：被告，律师，聘请，为，自己，辩护
这个句子结构完整，符合逻辑，描述了被告寻求法律帮助的情景。
Score: /3
Summary
The defendant is the party accused or sued in a legal case.
- Defendant in legal proceedings.
- Accused party in a lawsuit.
- Faces charges or claims in court.
Understand Legal Roles Clearly
Always remember '被告' refers to the party being sued or accused, distinct from the accuser ('原告').
Avoid Equating with Guilt
Being a '被告' does not automatically mean someone is guilty. It's a procedural status until a verdict is reached.
Legal System Terminology
Understanding terms like '被告' is crucial for comprehending legal news and discussions in Chinese-speaking regions.
Examples
4 of 4法院传唤了涉嫌经济犯罪的被告。
The court summoned the defendant suspected of economic crimes.
原告律师在法庭上陈述了对被告不利的证据。
The plaintiff's lawyer presented evidence unfavorable to the defendant in court.
他因为酒驾被警察拦下，很快就成了交通事故的被告。
He was stopped by the police for drunk driving and soon became the defendant in a traffic accident case.
在民事诉讼中，被告有权提出反诉。
In civil litigation, the defendant has the right to file a counterclaim.
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This Word in Other Languages
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