Japanese word

自首

Pronunciation

Romajijishu

Meaning

  • nounturn oneself in

Example

彼は警察に自首します。kare wa kei satsu ni ji shu shi ma su

He turns himself in to the police.

Illustration for 自首 (turn oneself in)

More examples

警察は容疑者に自首を呼びかけています。kei satsu wa yō gi sha ni ji shu o yo bi ka ke te i ma su

The police are calling on the suspect to turn himself in.

Core concept

It conveys a voluntary move from hiding an offense to presenting oneself and confessing it to the authorities.

Common phrases

  • 自首するji shu su ru

    turn oneself in

  • 自首を申し出るji shu o mō shi de ru

    offer to turn oneself in

  • 自首を受け付けるji shu o u ke tsu ke ru

    accept a voluntary surrender

Similar words

出頭shuttō: To go before the authorities voluntarily or when summoned, without necessarily admitting an offense.
自白jihaku: To admit that one has committed an offense, either to the authorities or to another person.

Definition in Japanese

罪を犯した者が、発覚して逮捕される前に、自分から官公署へ出向いて事実を申し出ること。tsumi o oka shi ta mono ga hak kaku shi te tai ho sa re ru mae ni ji bun ka ra kan kō sho e de mu i te ji jitsu o mō shi de ru ko to

Word origin

The word 自首 (jishu) comes from the Sino-Japanese elements 自 (ji, "oneself") and 首 (shu, "head"); the compound has the established meaning of reporting one's own offense.

Usage tips

  • 自首 (jishu) specifically involves reporting one's own offense, so it differs from merely contacting the police as a witness or victim.

Opposites

Related words

  • 自首者jishushaperson turning themselves innoun

Word lists with this word