1.
suicide; taking one's own life (historical/literary)
A literary and historical term for suicide, strongly associated with samurai and historical narratives. Often refers to ritual suicide or suicide to preserve honor, though it can also be used for non-ritual suicide in literary contexts.
城が落ちる前に自害した。
He took his own life before the castle fell.
敗北を悟った武将は自害を選んだ。
The warlord, realizing defeat was inevitable, chose to take his own life.
歴史小説では、追い詰められた武士が自害する場面がしばしば描かれる。
In historical novels, scenes of cornered samurai taking their own lives are frequently depicted.
USAGE: 自害 is primarily found in historical writing, period dramas, and literary contexts. In modern everyday Japanese, 自殺 is the standard term for suicide.
The word carries connotations of the samurai code of honor and is often used when describing warriors who chose death over capture or disgrace.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 自害する: to take one's own life
- 自害を遂げる: to carry out suicide
- 自害を選ぶ: to choose suicide
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 自害: suicide (historical/literary, often honorable)
- 切腹: ritual disembowelment (specific method)
- 自殺: suicide (modern, standard term)
- 自死: suicide (euphemistic, compassionate framing)