棄権する

• Reading: きけんする
• Romaji: kiken suru
• Kanji breakdown: 棄 (ki) — abandon, discard; 権 (ken) — right, authority
• Pronunciation: /ki.keɴ.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To withdraw; to abstain; to forfeit one's right to participate.

A する verb meaning to voluntarily give up the right to vote, compete, or participate. Used in elections (abstaining from voting), sports (withdrawing from a competition due to injury), and legal contexts (waiving a right). The noun form 棄権 can stand alone.

Examples

1. けがのため選手は試合を棄権した。 Due to injury, the athlete withdrew from the match.
2. 投票を棄権する若者が増えている。 More and more young people are abstaining from voting.
3. 体調不良で大会を棄権せざるを得なかった。 I had no choice but to withdraw from the tournament due to poor health.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, politics, legal

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 棄 (abandon, discard) + 権 (right, authority). Literally 'discarding one's right,' used for formal withdrawal from participation.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal