Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 降服する | kōfuku suru |
| 投降する | tōkō suru |
| 自首する | jishu suru |
| 譲渡する | jōto suru |
| 放棄する | hōki suru |
Japanese uses different words for 'surrender' depending on whether the context is military, legal or abstract. 降服する is a general term for yielding or surrendering, often appearing in formal or literary contexts regarding a struggle or contest.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun form 降服 (kōfuku) is composed of characters meaning to 'descend/fall' and 'subjugate/control', which literally translates to falling under someone's control.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends heavily on the specific type of surrender: * 投降する is used specifically in a military context, such as when a soldier or military unit surrenders to an enemy in combat. * 自首する is used in a legal or criminal context to mean surrendering to the police or authorities to admit to a crime. * 放棄する is used in abstract or legal contexts when 'surrender' means to abandon or give up a right, a claim or a possession. * 譲渡する is used in the context of property law to mean the yielding of a leasehold estate by a lessee to a landlord.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kōfuku suru
Did you know?
- The word 自首する for surrendering to the police is composed of the characters for 'self' and 'head', literally meaning to 'present one's own head' to the authorities.
- While 降服する is used for formal surrender, Japanese speakers often use the phrase 白旗を上げる meaning 'to raise the white flag' in everyday conversation to admit defeat.
- In sports or games, instead of using these formal terms, Japanese speakers often use ギブアップ which is a phonetic loan of the English 'give up'.
Examples in context
- Shōbu akirameru yo. (勝負諦めるよ。)I'll give up the match.
- ついに彼は降服するしかなかった。Tsuini kare wa koufuku suru shika nakatta.He finally had no choice but to surrender.
- 敵軍は降服する意思を示した。Tekigun wa koufuku suru ishi o shimeshita.The enemy army showed an intention to surrender.
- 降服する条件を話し合う必要がある。Koufuku suru jouken o hanashiau hitsuyou ga aru.It is necessary to discuss the terms of surrender.
Example conversation
Two people are playing a strategic board game.
- 陽葵 Himariもう逃げ場がないよ。Mō nigeba ga nai yo.There's nowhere left to run.
- 陽太 Yotaわかった。降服するよ。Wakatta. Kōfuku suru yo.I get it. I surrender.
- 陽葵 Himariあきらめるのが早すぎるよ。Akirameru no ga hayasugiru yo.You gave up too quickly.
- 陽太 Yota勝ち目はなかったからね。Kachime wa nakatta kara ne.Because there was no chance of winning.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “surrender” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
