殺す
korosu[ko̞ɾo̞sɨ]
The Japanese phrase for "to kill" is 殺す (korosu).
殺す is used to mean causing the death of a person or an animal. As a transitive verb, it requires a direct object, the victim, which is marked by the particle を (wo).
Which one should you use?
While 殺す is the standard verb, the compound verb 殺害する is used specifically in formal, journalistic or legal contexts to refer to the act of murder or killing.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone or something was killed, you use the passive form 殺される.
How do you pronounce it?
korosu
Did you know?
- The word 殺し屋 (koroshi-ya) uses the suffix 屋, which is the same one used for a bakery or a fishmonger, treating the profession of a hitman as a trade or shopkeeper's craft.
- In Japanese, the word 殺す is frequently used to describe the act of turning off or silencing an alarm, a light, or a sound, such as 音を殺す meaning 'to kill the sound'.
- When describing a 'killing smile' or a look that is intensely captivating, Japanese uses the adjective 殺人的な (satsujin-teki na) to mean 'murderous' or 'lethal' in a positive or overwhelming sense.
Examples in context
- 殺すしかない。We have no choice but to kill.This sentence shows how to express having no choice but to use 殺す.Tatoeba #4780839 by Nihonjinn, translation #4781024 by Ishao
- 彼女は私を殺すつもりだ。She's going to kill me.This sentence shows an intention to use 殺す against a person.Tatoeba #8441372 by Shigure, translation #1324176 by Scott
- トムを殺すつもりだったの？Did you intend to kill Tom?This sentence asks about an intention to use 殺す against a specific person.Tatoeba #8567721 by small_snow, translation #3394398 by CK
- 彼は優れたスナイパーで、敵を確実に殺すことができるHe is an outstanding sniper and can kill his enemies with certainty.
- 彼は命を奪うことはなかったが、その過失で彼女を死なせてしまったHe didn't take her life intentionally, but due to his negligence, he caused her death.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hime and Ren are discussing a villain in a movie.
- 陽葵 Himariこの悪役は誰を殺すの？Kono akuyaku wa dare o korosu no?Who does this villain kill?
- 蓮 Ren最後には主人公を殺すよ。Saigo ni wa shujinkou o korosu yo.He kills the protagonist in the end.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、本当に殺すの？E, hontou ni korosu no?What, does he really kill them?
- 蓮 Renああ、衝撃的な結末だよ。Aa, shougekiteki na ketsumatsu dayo.Yeah, it's a shocking ending.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 殺す, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
