起訴|きそkiso[1]atamadaka (head-high)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbprosecution; indictment
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 起訴する（きそする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 起訴します（きそします） |
| Negative (nai) | 起訴しない（きそしない） |
| polite (masen) | 起訴しません（きそしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 起訴せず・起訴せぬ（きそせず・きそせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 起訴した（きそした） |
| polite (mashita) | 起訴しました（きそしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 起訴しなかった（きそしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 起訴しませんでした（きそしませんでした） |
| Te form | 起訴して（きそして） |
| Potential | 起訴できる（きそできる） |
| Passive | 起訴される（きそされる） |
| Causative | 起訴させる（きそさせる） |
| Causative passive | 起訴させられる（きそさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 起訴すれば（きそすれば） |
| tara | 起訴したら（きそしたら） |
| Volitional | 起訴しよう（きそしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 起訴しましょう（きそしましょう） |
| Imperative | 起訴しろ（きそしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym訴追そついFormalFormal legal term that overlaps with 「起訴」 for initiating criminal proceedings, but also covers seeking a judge's removal; everyday speech favors 「起訴」.
- Synonym公訴こうそFormalLegal term for the prosecutor's criminal action, essentially synonymous with 「起訴」; seen mainly in statutes, as in 「公訴時効」.
- Related告発こくはつNeutralA third party reports a crime to the authorities or exposes wrongdoing, as in 「内部告発」; 「起訴」 is reserved for the prosecutor indicting in court.
- Related告訴こくそNeutralThe victim or an equivalent party files a complaint with police or prosecutors, as in 「告訴状」; whether to 「起訴」 is then up to the prosecutor.
- Related弾劾だんがいFormalPublicly pursuing blame or responsibility, or impeaching officials, as in 「弾劾裁判」; not the prosecutor's criminal indictment procedure.
- Related訴えるうったえるNeutralA verb: to take someone to court or lodge a complaint, but also to appeal to emotions; 「起訴」 is limited to the prosecutor's indictment.
- Related問罪もんざいWrittenWritten style and rare: pointing out faults and holding someone accountable, not necessarily through legal process; unlike the judicial 「起訴」.
- Antonym不起訴ふきそFormalThe antonym: the prosecutor decides not to send a suspect to trial, as in 「不起訴処分」; the opposite of 「起訴」 on whether to indict.
Use 「起訴」 for the prosecutor indicting in court; 「公訴」 appears in statutes. Third parties report crimes with 「告発」, victims file complaints with 「告訴」, and 「訴える」 covers going to court generally. The antonym is 「不起訴」.
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
