Translation guide
The Japanese term for ritual suicide by disembowelment, often used in historical or figurative contexts. In modern Japanese, 'seppuku' is more common for the formal act, while 'harakiri' can sound more colloquial or dramatic.
ritual suicide by disembowelment
Formal term; preferred in historical contexts.
harakiri (colloquial/dramatic)
More colloquial; often used figuratively.
Referring to the historical Japanese practice of self-disembowelment as a form of honorable death.
The samurai performed harakiri to restore his honor. · He was sentenced to commit harakiri.
The formal, standard term for ritual suicide by disembowelment. Used in historical, literary, and serious contexts.
The samurai was ordered to commit seppuku.
He took responsibility and committed seppuku.
A more colloquial and direct term for the same act. Can sound vulgar or dramatic. Often used in figurative speech or by non-Japanese speakers.
In modern Japanese, '切腹' is preferred for formal or historical reference. '腹切り' may be perceived as crude or overly direct.
Harakiri was an honorable way of death for samurai.
Using 'harakiri' metaphorically to describe an act that leads to one's own downfall, especially in business or politics.
If we launch this product now, it'll be corporate harakiri. · His resignation was political harakiri.
Means 'self-destruction' or 'ruining oneself'. Used when someone's actions cause their own failure.
That policy led to the party's harakiri.
Literally 'to cut one's belly', used figuratively to mean taking full responsibility or making a painful sacrifice, often in a corporate or political context.
A colloquial expression meaning 'a situation deserving of seppuku', i.e., a disgraceful failure. Often used hyperbolically.
A mistake like this is harakiri-worthy.
切腹 (seppuku) is the formal, Sino-Japanese reading and is used in historical, literary, and official contexts. 腹切り (harakiri) is the native Japanese reading and can sound more direct, colloquial, or even vulgar. In English, 'harakiri' is the common loanword, but in Japanese, 切腹 is more appropriate for serious discussion.
When using 'harakiri' figuratively (e.g., 'political harakiri'), do not directly translate it as 腹切り unless you intend a dramatic or colloquial tone. Instead, use 自滅 (self-destruction) or 責任を取って辞任する (resign taking responsibility).
His reckless investment was harakiri.
The president took responsibility for the scandal and committed harakiri (resigned).