自害|じがいjigai[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, intransitive verbsuicide (carried out with a blade, gun, etc.)
Conjugation
Dictionary form自害する(じがいする)
Polite (masu)自害します(じがいします)
Negative (nai)自害しない(じがいしない)
polite (masen)自害しません(じがいしません)
classical zu / nu自害せず・自害せぬ(じがいせず・じがいせぬ)
Past (ta)自害した(じがいした)
polite (mashita)自害しました(じがいしました)
Past negative (nakatta)自害しなかった(じがいしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)自害しませんでした(じがいしませんでした)
Te form自害して(じがいして)
Potential自害できる(じがいできる)
Passive自害される(じがいされる)
Causative自害させる(じがいさせる)
Causative passive自害させられる(じがいさせられる)
Conditional (ba)自害すれば(じがいすれば)
tara自害したら(じがいしたら)
Volitional自害しよう(じがいしよう)
polite (mashou)自害しましょう(じがいしましょう)
Imperative自害しろ(じがいしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym自決じけつWrittenWritten/formal prose. Dying by one's own decision, often to prove one's resolve, as among soldiers; also national self-determination. 「自害」 stresses the blade or gun.
  • Related自殺じさつNeutralThe most common modern term, neutral and objective. 「自害」 is more written in tone and mostly means suicide by blade or gun, seen in historical accounts and news reports.
  • Antonym他害たがいWrittenWritten/formal prose. Harming others, used mostly in psychiatry and often paired with 「自傷」; it opposes 「自害」 only in the harm-to-self vs. harm-to-others sense.

Default to 「自殺」, the everyday modern word. Use 「自害」 in written prose for suicide with a blade, gun, etc.; use 「自決」 for taking one's own life by one's own decision, as when soldiers die to prove their resolve.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 自身じしんの体からだを傷付きずつけて死しぬこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android