1.
to sue, to take to court
To bring a legal case against someone.
裁判所に訴える。
To take to court.
会社を訴えた。
I sued the company.
損害賠償を求めて訴えた。
Filed a lawsuit seeking damages.
2.
to appeal, to complain
To make an earnest request or express grievances.
不当な扱いを訴えた。
Complained about unfair treatment.
平和を訴える。
To appeal for peace.
患者が痛みを訴えた。
The patient complained of pain.
訴える is an ichidan verb with two main meanings: to sue (legal) and to appeal/complain (emotional).
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- Xを訴える: to complain about X, to sue over X
- Xに訴える: to appeal to X (person/court)
- Xを相手に訴える: to sue X (defendant)
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 裁判に訴える: to take to court
- 感情に訴える: to appeal to emotions
- 痛みを訴える: to complain of pain
- 無実を訴える: to plead innocence
RELATED WORDS:
- 訴え: appeal, complaint (noun)
- 訴訟: lawsuit
- 告訴する: to file a criminal complaint
- 起訴する: to prosecute, to indict