宣戦布告

• Reading: せんせんふこく
• Romaji: sensen fukoku
• Kanji breakdown: 宣 (sen/nobe) — to proclaim; 戦 (sen/tataka) — war, battle; 布 (fu/nu) — to spread, cloth; 告 (koku/tsu) — to announce
• Pronunciation: /seɴ.seɴ.ɸɯ.ko.kɯ/

Meaning

Declaration of war. The formal announcement by a state that it is entering a state of war against another nation.

A compound combining 宣戦 (declaration of war) and 布告 (proclamation, announcement). Under contemporary international law, formal declarations of war have become rare, though the term remains powerful in political rhetoric and historical analysis. Japan's 1941 declaration against the United States is a prominent historical reference point.

Examples

1. 国際法上、宣戦布告なしに軍事行動を開始することは問題視される。 Under international law, commencing military action without a declaration of war is regarded as problematic.
2. 歴史的に、宣戦布告は戦争開始の正式な外交手続きとされていた。 Historically, a declaration of war was considered the formal diplomatic procedure for initiating hostilities.
3. 大統領は議会の承認を得て宣戦布告を発した。 The president issued a declaration of war with the approval of parliament.

Usage Guide

Context: military, diplomacy, international law, history

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 宣戦 (declaring war; 宣 = to proclaim, 戦 = war) and 布告 (proclamation; 布 = to spread, 告 = to announce).

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal