訴える

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

Meaning

To appeal; to sue; to complain; to report. Used when bringing something to someone's attention or taking legal action.

A Group 2 (ichidan) verb conjugated by dropping る. Has several meanings: to sue or file a lawsuit (裁判に訴える), to appeal or complain (不満を訴える), and to resort to (暴力に訴える). Also used for expressing symptoms to a doctor (痛みを訴える).

Examples

1. 彼女は会社を裁判に訴えた。 She sued the company in court.
2. 住民は騒音の問題を市に訴えている。 The residents are reporting the noise problem to the city.
3. 痛みを訴える患者が増えている。 The number of patients complaining of pain is increasing.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, medical, complaints

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From classical Japanese 訴ふ (uttafu). The kanji 訴 combines 言 (word) and 斥 (reject), meaning to speak out against something — raising a complaint or plea.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal