Japanese by Example
Learning through examples in manga

An established alibi with 成立

Kanji Explanation: Becoming and accomplishing with 成

Manga panel from 名探偵コナン showing example of An established alibi with 成立.
名探偵コナン » Volume 24 » Page 83

Following a murder made to look like an accidental death, Conan reviews the whereabouts of the four suspects at the time.

コナン:
「犯行(はんこう)可能(かのう)時(じ)にあの四人(よにん)の中(なか)でアリバイが成立(せいりつ)しているのは…」
“Among those four, the one with an established alibi during the time the crime could have been committed is...”
「あの人(ひと)だた一人(ひとり)…」
“...that person alone...”

Key Points

  1. 成立(せいりつ) means to hold up or be established as valid

    • With アリバイ, 成立(せいりつ)している means the alibi checks out and stands as valid

    • This is stronger than merely saying an alibi exists

  2. している shows a current established state

    • アリバイが成立(せいりつ)している means the alibi has been established and is in force now

    • This is a common result-state use of 〜ている