主張|しゅちょうshuchou[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbclaim; insistence; assertion; advocacy; emphasis; contention; opinion; tenet
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 主張する（しゅちょうする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 主張します（しゅちょうします） |
| Negative (nai) | 主張しない（しゅちょうしない） |
| polite (masen) | 主張しません（しゅちょうしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 主張せず・主張せぬ（しゅちょうせず・しゅちょうせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 主張した（しゅちょうした） |
| polite (mashita) | 主張しました（しゅちょうしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 主張しなかった（しゅちょうしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 主張しませんでした（しゅちょうしませんでした） |
| Te form | 主張して（しゅちょうして） |
| Potential | 主張できる（しゅちょうできる） |
| Passive | 主張される（しゅちょうされる） |
| Causative | 主張させる（しゅちょうさせる） |
| Causative passive | 主張させられる（しゅちょうさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 主張すれば（しゅちょうすれば） |
| tara | 主張したら（しゅちょうしたら） |
| Volitional | 主張しよう（しゅちょうしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 主張しましょう（しゅちょうしましょう） |
| Imperative | 主張しろ（しゅちょうしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym言い張るいいはるNeutralColloquial: to stubbornly keep insisting, as in 「知らないと言い張る」. Often carries a negative nuance of refusing to listen to others.
- Synonym言い切るいいきるNeutralTo say something flatly and definitively, as in 「絶対だと言い切る」. The emphasis is on the certainty of the statement.
- Synonym断言だんげんNeutralTo assert something with certainty, as in 「断言はできない」. The emphasis is on drawing a firm conclusion; 「主張」 is about holding to one's opinion.
- Synonym言明げんめいWrittenWritten/formal word for stating something clearly, close to 「明言」; rarely used in everyday speech.
- Synonym力説りきせつWrittenWritten/formal: to argue a point with all one's force, as in 「必要性を力説する」. The emphasis is on forceful persuasion.
- Synonym申し立てるもうしたてるNeutralTo formally raise an objection or appeal, as in 「異議を申し立てる」. Mostly used in legal and administrative settings.
- Synonym言い立てるいいたてるNeutralTo list things one by one or make a loud point of them, as in 「欠点を言い立てる」. Often carries a critical, nitpicking nuance.
- Synonym確言かくげんWrittenRare written word for asserting something with full confidence. In everyday speech, use 「断言」.
- Related明言めいげんWrittenWritten/formal: to state one's position, intention, or the facts explicitly, as in 「明言を避ける」. 「主張」 stresses insisting on one's own views.
- Related宣言せんげんNeutralTo announce an opinion, policy, or decision publicly, as in 「独立宣言」「禁煙宣言」; used by individuals and groups alike. 「主張」 means holding to a view.
- Related表明ひょうめいWrittenWritten/formal: to make one's attitude or resolve publicly known, as in 「辞意を表明する」. The emphasis is on declaring a stance.
- Related抗弁こうべんWrittenWritten/formal: to refute or argue against the other side; in law, a defense or plea. Carries a confrontational tone.
- Related言い放ついいはなつNeutralTo say something bluntly without any reserve, as in 「冷たく言い放つ」. Often carries a cold or arrogant tone.
- Antonym撤回てっかいNeutralAntonym: to take back an opinion or proposal already put forward, as in 「発言を撤回する」 — the opposite of pressing a claim.
- Antonym放棄ほうきNeutralAntonym: to give up a right or claim, as in 「権利を放棄する」 — the opposite of 「主張」's insistence.
Use 「主張」 for holding to and pressing your own view. 「言い張る」 adds stubborn insistence, 「言い切る」 and 「断言」 flat certainty, 「表明」 a public stance, 「宣言」 a formal announcement, and 「力説」 strong emphasis. 「明言」「言明」「確言」 and 「抗弁」 are written words, and 「申し立てる」 is for formal objections. 「撤回」 and 「放棄」 are the opposites: withdrawing or giving up a claim.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
