起诉 qǐsù to sue
to sue; to bring a lawsuit against; to prosecute
How to remember 起诉: 起 rise up + 诉 tell = to sue.
Characters
How it is used
- To sue / prosecute - bring legal action - 向法院起诉 (xiàng fǎyuàn qǐsù) to file suit in court; 提起起诉 / 被起诉 (bèi qǐsù) to be prosecuted.
- Legal register: initiating a lawsuit or criminal charge. The lawsuit itself is 诉讼 (sùsòng).
- 公诉 (gōngsù) = public prosecution; 自诉 (zìsù) = private prosecution. Contrast 上诉 (shàngsù, to appeal).
Example sentences
- 警察起诉他盗窃。 Jǐngchá qǐsù tā dàoqiè.The police accused him of theft.