1.
double suicide, lovers' suicide, suicide pact
The act of two or more people killing themselves together. Originally referred specifically to lovers' suicide as proof of devotion, but now includes any group suicide, such as a parent taking their children's lives along with their own.
心中を図る。
To attempt a double suicide.
近松の心中物は有名だ。
Chikamatsu's love-suicide plays are famous.
無理心中という言葉は、相手の同意なく道連れにする場合に使われる。
The term 'forced double suicide' is used when someone takes another's life without their consent.
Originally referred to lovers' suicide (情死) as an ultimate proof of mutual devotion. The theme was popularized in Edo-period literature, especially by the playwright 近松門左衛門 in works like 曾根崎心中 (The Love Suicides at Sonezaki, 1703).
MODERN USAGE:
Today 心中 also covers:
- 親子心中: parent-child suicide
- 一家心中: family suicide
- 無理心中: murder-suicide (without the victim's consent)
CAUTION:
Do not confuse with 心中 (read しんちゅう), which means "one's true feelings" or "in one's heart." The reading determines the meaning entirely.