Translation guide
Expressing the act of intentionally ending one's own life. Japanese has several verbs and phrases, ranging from neutral to blunt, and often uses euphemisms in polite conversation.
A more literary or euphemistic term, often used to avoid the negative nuance of '殺' (kill). Common in formal or sensitive contexts.
彼は自死を選んだ。
He chose to take his own life.
Literally 'to cut off one's life'. A somewhat literary but common expression.
彼は自ら命を絶った。
He took his own life.
To express suicide in a very direct, sometimes harsh way.
Literally 'self-harm', but specifically means suicide. Often used in historical or dramatic contexts, or for ritual suicide.
武士は自害した。
The samurai committed suicide.
A more emphatic version of 命を絶つ, often used in literature.
彼は自らの命を断った。
He ended his own life.
To talk about suicide in a gentle, indirect way, often in counseling or media.
A common euphemism, similar to 'take one's own life'.
若者が自ら命を絶つ事件が増えている。
Cases of young people taking their own lives are increasing.
Literally 'choose self-death'. A softer expression often used in media guidelines.
彼女は自死を選んだ。
She chose to end her life.
Literally 'leave this world'. A very indirect euphemism, not specific to suicide but used in context.
彼は悩みの末、この世を去った。
After much suffering, he left this world.
To specify the method of suicide.
To hang oneself. Common expression.
彼は首を吊って死んだ。
He died by hanging himself.
To jump to one's death (from a height). Often used in news.
駅のホームから飛び降りた。
He jumped from the station platform.
To commit suicide by poisoning. Formal/technical.
彼女は服毒自殺した。
She committed suicide by taking poison.
The English 'commit suicide' is often translated as 自殺する, but note that 自殺 is a noun+する verb. Do not use 犯す (to commit a crime) with 自殺; it sounds unnatural.
✕ 自殺を犯す
Incorrect: 'commit' as in crime
自殺 is the standard term, but some media avoid it because 殺 means 'kill'. 自死 is a softer alternative often used in newspapers and by support groups.
In sensitive situations, phrases like 命を絶つ or 自ら命を絶つ are preferred over direct terms. In very formal or careful speech, you might hear 自死される (honorific passive) to show respect for the deceased.