Chinese word

起诉

Pronunciation

Pinyinqǐ sù

Meaning

  • verbprosecute

Example

检察院决定起诉他。jiǎn chá yuàn jué dìng qǐ sù tā

The prosecutor's office decided to prosecute him.

Illustration for 起诉 (prosecute)

More examples

邻居因噪音问题向法院起诉房东。lín jū yīn zào yīn wèn tí xiàng fǎ yuàn qǐ sù fáng dōng

The neighbor sued the landlord in court over a noise problem.

Core concept

The act of opening a legal case so a court or legal authority can decide responsibility or settle a dispute.

Common phrases

  • 检察院起诉被告jiǎn chá yuàn qǐ sù bèi gào

    prosecute the defendant

  • 正式起诉zhèng shì qǐ sù

    formally prosecute

  • 受到起诉shòu dào qǐ sù

    be prosecuted

Similar words

提起诉讼tí qǐ sù sòng: Begin legal action in court to seek a right, remedy, or compensation for harm.
控告kòng gào: Accuse someone of wrongdoing or a crime before authorities and request investigation or punishment.
指控zhǐ kòng: Accuse someone of a crime or other wrongdoing by presenting supporting evidence or claims.

Definition in Chinese

向法院或检察机关提出诉讼，请求通过法律程序追究对方的法律责任或裁决争议。xiàng fǎ yuàn huò jiǎn chá jī guān tí chū sù sòng qǐng qiú tōng guò fǎ lǜ chéng xù zhuī jiū duì fāng de fǎ lǜ zé rèn huò cái jué zhēng yì

Word origin

起 (qǐ, "to begin") + 诉 (sù, "to appeal or complain") describes starting a case by presenting a complaint through legal channels.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often hear prosecute as a government action, but Chinese uses this verb more broadly for formal cases brought by different parties.

Other meanings

  • bring a lawsuitverb

Opposites

  • 不起诉bù qǐ sùnot prosecuteverb
  • 撤诉chè sùwithdraw the lawsuitverb

Related words

  • 起诉人qǐ sù rénplaintiffnoun
  • 起诉书qǐ sù shūindictmentnoun

Word lists with this word