Translation guide
Seppuku is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment, historically practiced by samurai to restore honor or avoid capture. In modern contexts, it is rarely performed and is often referenced metaphorically or historically.
The historical act of cutting one's abdomen open as a formal, honorable suicide.
The standard term for ritual suicide by disembowelment. It is the most direct equivalent and is widely understood.
武士は切腹によって名誉を守った。
Samurai preserved their honor through seppuku.
彼は切腹を命じられた。
He was ordered to commit seppuku.
A more colloquial and somewhat cruder term for the same act. Often used in spoken language or less formal contexts, but can carry a slightly vulgar nuance.
腹切りは武士の自決方法だった。
Harakiri was a method of suicide for samurai.
A more general term for suicide by blade, not necessarily by disembowelment. It can include seppuku but is broader and more literary.
敗軍の将は自刃して果てた。
The defeated general died by his own sword.
Using 'seppuku' to describe a situation where someone takes responsibility for a failure, often in business or politics, by resigning or accepting severe consequences.
In modern Japanese, the metaphorical sense of 'seppuku' is not commonly expressed with 切腹. Instead, phrases like 責任を取る (take responsibility) or 辞任する (resign) are used. Using 切腹 metaphorically can sound overly dramatic or archaic.
Avoid directly translating 'commit seppuku' as 切腹する in business contexts; it may be misunderstood as literal suicide.
社長は不祥事の責任を取って辞任した。
The president took responsibility for the scandal and resigned.
彼は失敗の責任を取らされた。
He was forced to take responsibility for the failure.
Literally 'to cut one's belly,' this can be used metaphorically to mean taking full responsibility, but it is rare and can be ambiguous. It is more common in set phrases like 腹を切って謝る (apologize by taking full responsibility).
Referring to seppuku as a historical practice or cultural concept, often in discussions of samurai ethics or Japanese history.
The standard term when discussing the historical act. It is neutral and appropriate for academic or cultural contexts.
切腹は武士道の一部と考えられていた。
Seppuku was considered part of bushido.
Refers specifically to the ritual or ceremony of seppuku. Useful when emphasizing the formal procedure.
切腹の儀は厳粛に行われた。
The seppuku ceremony was conducted solemnly.
Using 切腹 or 腹切り to describe taking responsibility in a business or political setting can be misinterpreted as referring to actual suicide. Stick to phrases like 責任を取る or 辞任する unless you are explicitly discussing historical samurai practices.
不適切: 彼はプロジェクトの失敗で切腹した。
Inappropriate: He committed seppuku over the project's failure.
適切: 彼はプロジェクトの失敗の責任を取って辞任した。
Appropriate: He took responsibility for the project's failure and resigned.
切腹 (seppuku) is the formal, Sino-Japanese reading and is used in serious, historical, or official contexts. 腹切り (harakiri) is the native Japanese reading and can sound more vulgar or colloquial. In English, 'harakiri' is often used, but in Japanese, 切腹 is preferred in polite or written language.
歴史書では「切腹」が使われる。
History books use 'seppuku'.
時代劇で「腹切り」と言うことがある。
In period dramas, they sometimes say 'harakiri'.
切腹 (seppuku) is the formal, Sino-Japanese reading and is used in serious, historical, or official contexts. 腹切り (harakiri) is the native Japanese reading and can sound more vulgar or colloquial. In English, 'harakiri' is often used, but in Japanese, 切腹 is preferred in polite or written language.
歴史書では「切腹」が使われる。
History books use 'seppuku'.
時代劇で「腹切り」と言うことがある。
In period dramas, they sometimes say 'harakiri'.
彼は腹を切って謝罪した。
He apologized profusely, taking full responsibility.