Legal and Court Vocabulary in English and Hindi

Legal language can feel intimidating in any language. These basic terms are enough to follow news reports and understand common documents. (This is a vocabulary guide, not legal advice.)

People

English	Hindi
judge	न्यायाधीश
lawyer	वकील
witness	गवाह
accused	अभियुक्त
plaintiff	वादी
defendant	प्रतिवादी
police	पुलिस
victim	पीड़ित

Courts and cases

English	Hindi
court	न्यायालय, अदालत
case	मुकदमा
complaint	शिकायत
evidence	सबूत
hearing	सुनवाई
verdict / judgment	फ़ैसला
appeal	अपील
bail	ज़मानत
trial	मुकदमे की सुनवाई
petition	याचिका

Crime and punishment

English	Hindi
crime	अपराध
guilty	दोषी
innocent	निर्दोष
sentence	सज़ा
fine	जुर्माना
law	कानून
right	अधिकार
duty	कर्तव्य

Example sentences

• The court will hear the case tomorrow. — अदालत कल मामले की सुनवाई करेगी।
• The witness gave evidence. — गवाह ने सबूत दिया।
• He was granted bail. — उसे ज़मानत मिल गई।
• The judge announced the verdict. — न्यायाधीश ने फ़ैसला सुनाया।

Words that need care

• Right can mean अधिकार (a legal right), सही (correct) or दायाँ (direction).
• Fine can mean जुर्माना (penalty) or ठीक/बढ़िया (good).
• Sentence means सज़ा in law but वाक्य in grammar.

These are good examples of why checking the meaning in context matters.

Tips

1. Learn the terms in groups.
2. Read court news in both languages.
3. Look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary.

Look up any word with English Hindi Dictionary →