訴え

• Reading: うったえ
• Romaji: uttae
• Kanji breakdown: 訴 (so/utta) — appeal, accuse, sue
• Pronunciation: /ɯt.ta.e/

Meaning

Appeal; complaint; lawsuit; plea. A formal or emotional statement seeking redress, justice, or action.

A noun derived from 訴える (to appeal, to complain, to file suit). Has a wide semantic range: from a legal lawsuit (裁判所への訴え) to an emotional plea (心への訴え) to a formal grievance. The word emphasises the act of raising one's voice to seek change or justice. Common in both legal proceedings and political rhetoric, and can describe anything from a whispered complaint to a landmark court case.

Examples

1. 彼女は不当解雇に対して、労働審判所に訴えを起こした。 She filed a complaint with the labour tribunal over her wrongful dismissal.
2. 市民たちの訴えが市議会を動かし、政策変更につながった。 The citizens' appeal moved the city council and led to a change in policy.
3. 彼のスピーチには心への強い訴えがあり、聴衆を感動させた。 His speech contained a powerful emotional appeal that moved the audience deeply.

Usage Guide

Context: law, politics, emotion, social movements

Tone: serious, formal

Origin & History

Derived from the verb 訴える (to appeal, to accuse). The kanji 訴 depicts the act of bringing one's words before authority — a semantic blend of speech (言) and adversarial appeal.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: General