Translation guide
Expresses the act of intentionally ending one's own life. Japanese has many nuanced expressions ranging from clinical to euphemistic, and the appropriate choice depends heavily on context, formality, and sensitivity.
Suicide is never the answer.
A slightly more literary or formal way to say 'take one's own life'. It emphasizes the act of cutting off one's life.
彼は自ら命を絶った。
He took his own life.
Softer, indirect expressions often used in obituaries or when speaking sensitively about the topic.
A euphemistic term meaning 'death by suicide'. It avoids the directness of 自殺 and is often used in media or support contexts.
彼は自死したと報じられた。
It was reported that he died by suicide.
Literally 'to drop one's own life', a softer and more indirect way to say someone ended their life.
彼女は自ら命を落とした。
She ended her own life.
Expressions that specify the method of suicide, often used in news or detailed descriptions.
To hang oneself. A common method-specific expression.
彼は首を吊って亡くなった。
He died by hanging himself.
To jump to one's death (from a height). Often used with 自殺 for clarity: 飛び降り自殺.
彼はビルから飛び降りた。
He jumped from a building.
To drown oneself intentionally. A formal term often used in news.
彼女は入水自殺を図った。
She attempted suicide by drowning.
Expressions tied to Japanese cultural concepts of honorable suicide, such as seppuku.
To commit seppuku (ritual suicide by disembowelment). Historically associated with samurai.
彼は責任を取って切腹した。
He took responsibility and committed seppuku.
To die by one's own sword; a literary term for suicide by blade, often used in historical contexts.
武将は城で自刃した。
The warlord ended his life with his sword in the castle.
Expressions for attempting but not necessarily completing suicide.
To attempt suicide. The standard clinical/legal term.
彼は自殺未遂をした。
He attempted suicide.
To attempt suicide; literally 'to plan/attempt suicide'. Slightly more formal.
彼女は自殺を図ったが、一命を取り留めた。
She attempted suicide but survived.
Direct terms like 自殺する can be blunt or insensitive in personal conversation. In obituaries or when speaking to bereaved families, euphemisms like 自死 or indirect phrases are preferred. Avoid casual or flippant usage.
自殺 (jisatsu) is the standard word for 'suicide' but can carry a negative or clinical connotation. 自死 (jishi) is a newer, more neutral euphemism that frames it as 'death by suicide' rather than 'killing oneself', and is often used by support groups and sensitive reporting.