告訴

• Reading: こくそ
• Romaji: kokuso
• Kanji breakdown: 告 (koku) — tell, inform, announce; 訴 (so) — accuse, sue, appeal
• Pronunciation: /ko.kɯ.so/

Meaning

Accusation; criminal complaint; pressing charges. The formal act of reporting a crime and requesting prosecution.

A noun and suru-verb referring to the act of filing a formal criminal complaint with the police or prosecutor. Distinguished from 起訴 (kiso, indictment by a prosecutor) and 告発 (kokuhatsu, reporting a crime by a third party). 告訴 specifically means the victim themselves reports the crime and requests prosecution. Some crimes in Japan are 親告罪 (shinkokuzai, complaint-necessary crimes) that can only be prosecuted after a formal 告訴.

Examples

1. 被害者は犯人を詐欺罪で告訴した。 The victim pressed charges against the perpetrator for fraud.
2. 告訴を取り下げれば、裁判は行われない。 If the complaint is withdrawn, no trial will take place.
3. 名誉毀損で告訴する準備を進めている。 Preparations are underway to file a defamation complaint.

Usage Guide

Context: law, crime, news

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 告 (koku, tell/inform) + 訴 (so, accuse/sue). Literally 'to inform and accuse' — formally notifying authorities of a crime and seeking legal action.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal