降参|こうさんkousan[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbsurrender; submission; capitulation
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbbeing defeated (e.g. by a problem); giving up; giving in
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 降参する（こうさんする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 降参します（こうさんします） |
| Negative (nai) | 降参しない（こうさんしない） |
| polite (masen) | 降参しません（こうさんしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 降参せず・降参せぬ（こうさんせず・こうさんせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 降参した（こうさんした） |
| polite (mashita) | 降参しました（こうさんしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 降参しなかった（こうさんしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 降参しませんでした（こうさんしませんでした） |
| Te form | 降参して（こうさんして） |
| Potential | 降参できる（こうさんできる） |
| Passive | 降参される（こうさんされる） |
| Causative | 降参させる（こうさんさせる） |
| Causative passive | 降参させられる（こうさんさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 降参すれば（こうさんすれば） |
| tara | 降参したら（こうさんしたら） |
| Volitional | 降参しよう（こうさんしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 降参しましょう（こうさんしましょう） |
| Imperative | 降参しろ（こうさんしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym降伏こうふくWrittenFormal written word for surrendering after defeat in war, as in 「無条件降伏」; unlike 「降参」, it is not used for being beaten by a problem.
- Synonym投降とうこうNeutralNeutral word for surrendering to the enemy, mostly in military descriptions, as in 「投降を呼びかける」; not used for being stumped by a problem.
- SynonymギブアップCasualColloquial loanword for giving up or conceding partway through, common in sports matches.
- Synonym帰順きじゅんWrittenWritten, rather historical word for a rebel returning to allegiance to their former lord.
- Synonym屈するくっするWrittenWritten word for yielding to pressure, as in 「圧力に屈する」; often implies giving in reluctantly.
- Synonym屈服くっぷくWrittenWritten word for yielding and conceding defeat, stressing submission under compulsion.
- Related観念かんねんNeutralMeans resigning yourself to the inevitable, as in 「もはやこれまでと観念する」; fine in speech or writing, and stresses mental preparedness.
- Related服するふくするWrittenWritten word for obeying orders or serving a sentence, as in 「刑に服する」; stresses accepting authority or constraint.
- Related断念だんねんWrittenWritten word for resolutely abandoning plans or hopes, as in 「進学を断念」; it centers on the act of giving up, while 「降参」 stresses admitting defeat.
- Related折れるおれるNeutralMeans giving in or compromising, as in 「最後は親が折れた」; used for backing down in a dispute rather than surrendering.
- Related諦めるあきらめるNeutralThe most general word for giving up or resigning yourself; it does not stress admitting defeat to an opponent.
- Related服従ふくじゅうWrittenWritten word for obeying commands, typically within a hierarchy, as in 「命令に服従」.
- Antonym抵抗ていこうNeutralAntonym: resisting or standing up to something, the opposite of the surrender expressed by 「降参」.
- Antonym抗戦こうせんWrittenWritten antonym: fighting on in resistance instead of surrendering.
Use 「降参」 when you concede or throw your hands up, also for being stumped: 「この問題には降参だ」. For surrender in war, the formal word is 「降伏」; for giving up, 「諦める」; for backing down in a dispute, 「折れる」; for resisting, 「抵抗」.
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
