殺すぞ
korosu zo
The phrase "I am going to kill you" in Japanese is 殺すぞ (korosu zo).
This phrase is used as a direct threat to intimidate or express extreme hostility and is common in aggressive confrontations or fictional media like anime.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 殺す (korosu) means 'to kill' and the particle ぞ (zo) is a masculine sentence-ending particle used to add emphasis or a sense of warning.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 殺すぞ (korosu zo) is highly informal and carries a strong, aggressive and typically masculine tone.
How do you pronounce it?
korosu zo
Did you know?
- While 殺すぞ (korosu zo) is a literal threat, Japanese law allows for police arrest based on the 'intimidation' (kyōhaku) caused by the phrase, even if the speaker has no actual means or intention to kill.
- In Japanese, the act of 'killing a mood' is expressed using 殺す (korosu), meaning to ruin the atmosphere of a social gathering.
- The particle ぞ (zo) in 殺すぞ is so strongly associated with masculine dominance that it is almost never used by women in real life, even when they are extremely angry, as it would sound unnaturally performative.
Examples in context
- 本当に殺すぞ。Hontou ni korosu zo.I'm really going to kill you.
- 次にやったら殺すぞ。Tsugi ni yattara korosu zo.If you do it again, I'll kill you.
- 殺すぞ、コラ！Korosu zo, kora!I'll kill you, hey!
Example conversation
Ren accidentally deletes Misaki's important project file.
- 美咲 Misakiえっ、消したの？殺すぞ！E, keshita no? Korosu zo!What, you deleted it? I'm going to kill you!
- 蓮 Renごめん！わざとじゃないんだ。Gomen! Wazato janai n da.Sorry! I didn't do it on purpose.
- 美咲 Misaki言い訳しないでよ！Iiwake shinaide yo!Don't make excuses!
- 蓮 Ren本当にごめん、美咲。Hontou ni gomen, Misaki.I'm really sorry, Misaki.
