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起诉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
起诉qǐsùto sueHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #1527, Very Hard
起诉qǐsùto bring a lawsuit againstHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #1527, Very Hard
起诉qǐsùto prosecuteHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #1527, Very Hard
qǐsù(qi3su4)qi su T3
  1. 1to sue
  2. 2to bring a lawsuit against
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March 24, 2026

起诉(起訴)qǐsù(qi3su4)

起诉 (qǐsù) means to initiate a legal action against someone, commonly referred to as suing or prosecuting. This term is frequently used in legal contexts, such as civil and criminal law, where one party seeks redress or justice through the court system.

Strokes17Frequency#1527DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

The concept of 起诉 reflects the importance of the legal system in Chinese society, particularly in ensuring justice and resolving disputes. The increasing number of civil cases highlights a shift towards a more litigious culture in urban areas.

Memory Tip

Think of '起' (qǐ) as 'to rise' and '诉' (sù) as 'to speak'. Imagine a person rising up to speak their grievances in court, symbolizing the act of suing someone. The initial 'q' sound can remind you of 'court', making it easier to recall the meaning.

Meanings of 起诉

qǐsù(qi3su4)
1to sue
2to bring a lawsuit against
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About 起诉

起诉Simplified
起訴Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 起诉

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AI Study Notes for 起诉

Quick Contrast

控告 (kònggào) - use 起诉 when referring to initiating a lawsuit in a formal legal context, while 控告 is more about formally accusing someone of a crime.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 起诉 with related terms like 投诉 (tóusù), which means to complain but not necessarily in a legal context. It is usually used in formal settings, so ensure you use it appropriately when discussing legal matters.

HSK Study Tips

As of HSK Level 6, this term connects with other legal vocabulary and phrases. Students should focus on its usage in sentences related to law and justice, as well as its role in discussions about rights and responsibilities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 起诉 with the similar-sounding 诉说 (sùshuō), which means to tell or recount something. For example, saying '我想诉说他' (Wǒ xiǎng sùshuō tā) instead of '我想起诉他' (Wǒ xiǎng qǐsù tā) would be incorrect when referring to suing someone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 起诉

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Component Characters

起qǐto rise
HSK 310 strokes走
View full entry
诉sùto complain
HSK 47 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say to sue in Chinese

“to sue” in Chinese is起诉qǐsù

起诉 (qǐsù) means to initiate a legal action against someone, commonly referred to as suing or prosecuting. This term is frequently used in legal contexts, such as civil and criminal law, where one party seeks redress or justice through the court system.

When to use 起诉

Common mistakes include confusing 起诉 with related terms like 投诉 (tóusù), which means to complain but not necessarily in a legal context. It is usually used in formal settings, so ensure you use it appropriately when discussing legal matters.

起诉 or something close to it

控告 (kònggào) - use 起诉 when referring to initiating a lawsuit in a formal legal context, while 控告 is more about formally accusing someone of a crime.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 起诉 with the similar-sounding 诉说 (sùshuō), which means to tell or recount something. For example, saying '我想诉说他' (Wǒ xiǎng sùshuō tā) instead of '我想起诉他' (Wǒ xiǎng qǐsù tā) would be incorrect when referring to suing someone.

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起
诉

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Frequently Asked Questions about 起诉

You can say '他决定起诉公司' (Tā juédìng qǐsù gōngsī), meaning 'He decided to sue the company.'

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