How to say "litigation" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

訴訟そしょうJLPT N1approx.Common
noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe general word for litigation: a lawsuit, suit, or legal action brought before a court. It is the common term you will almost always want when talking about taking or settling legal action.
その訴訟そしょうの判事はんじは公平こうへいではなかった。↗
The judge in the case was not fair.
訟務しょうむ
no-adjectiveA less common word also glossed as litigation, used chiefly for litigation matters handled as part of official or administrative work rather than for a particular lawsuit; seldom the word you want in everyday contexts.

Use 訴訟 for lawsuits and legal actions generally; 訟務 is a less common term for litigation as an administrative matter, mainly in government/legal-office contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

訴訟そしょうlawsuit
訟務しょうむlitigation

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

Say it right, write it right