Japanese word

起訴

Pronunciation

Romajikiso

Meaning

  • nounindictment

Example

検察官は彼を起訴しました。ken satsu kan wa kare o ki so shi ma shi ta

The prosecutor indicted him.

Illustration for 起訴 (indictment)

More examples

新聞は著名な実業家の起訴を一面で報じました。shin bun wa cho mei na jitsu gyō ka no ki so o ichi men de hō ji ma shi ta

The newspaper reported the prominent businessperson's indictment on its front page.

Core concept

Refers to the formal step of turning a criminal allegation into a court case.

Common phrases

  • 起訴を決めるki so o ki me ru

    decide to indict

  • 起訴に踏み切るki so ni fu mi ki ru

    proceed with an indictment

  • 起訴を求めるki so o moto me ru

    seek prosecution

Similar words

訴追sotsui: The formal pursuit of a person through criminal or disciplinary proceedings.
公訴kōso: A public prosecution brought by the state against a person in a criminal court.

Definition in Japanese

犯罪についての責任を問うため、裁判所に訴えを提起すること。han zai ni tsu i te no seki nin o to u ta me sai ban sho ni utta e o tei ki su ru ko to

Word origin

起訴 (kiso) consists of 起 (ki, "raise") and 訴 (so, "accuse or appeal"), Sino-Japanese elements that together describe initiating a legal case.

Usage tips

  • The English verb indict is mainly used for a formal criminal charge, whereas prosecute also covers the broader process of pursuing a case in court.

Other meanings

  • prosecutionnoun

Opposites

  • 不起訴fukisonon-prosecutionnoun

Word lists with this word