訴訟（そしょう、soshou）
- litigation

The Japanese word 訴訟 （そしょう） generally means "lawsuit," "litigation," or "legal action." It refers to a formal process in a court of law where a dispute is resolved. This involves a plaintiff (the person bringing the lawsuit) and a defendant (the person being sued). The goal of a 訴訟 is often to obtain compensation, enforce a right, or prevent a wrong. The outcome of a 訴訟 is determined by a judge or jury, based on the evidence presented.

⚫︎ 彼は会社を相手に訴訟を起こした。 Translation: He filed a lawsuit against the company. ⚫︎ この訴訟は数年続いた。 Translation: This lawsuit lasted for several years. ⚫︎ 訴訟の結果、彼は勝訴した。 Translation: As a result of the lawsuit, he won the case.

You use 訴訟 when discussing legal matters, court proceedings, and disputes that are being resolved through the legal system. It's a formal term typically used in written communication, legal contexts, or serious conversations about legal actions. You wouldn't typically use this word casually.

訴訟 is primarily written in kanji 訴訟. The reading is そしょう (in hiragana). There are no variations in okurigana. It's almost always written with these kanji.

⚫︎ 裁判 (saiban) - trial ⚫︎ 法廷闘争 (houtei tousou) - legal battle ⚫︎ 紛争 (funsou) - dispute

There isn't a single direct antonym for 訴訟, but the opposite concept could be resolving a dispute without resorting to legal action, such as: ⚫︎ 和解 (wakai) - settlement, compromise ⚫︎ 示談 (jidan) - out-of-court settlement

その会社は、特許侵害で訴訟を起こされた。 ・Translation: That company was sued for patent infringement. ・Explanation: This sentence explains that the company is involved in legal proceedings related to a patent issue.

彼は訴訟費用を工面するために、家を売らなければならなかった。 ・Translation: He had to sell his house to cover the costs of the lawsuit. ・Explanation: This sentence illustrates the financial consequences that can be associated with a 訴訟.

The word 訴訟 is a compound word formed from: ⚫︎ 訴 (so) - to accuse, to sue, to appeal ⚫︎ 訟 (shou) - to sue, to litigate Therefore, 訴訟 implies the action of bringing a formal accusation or legal claim, and the process of litigating it in court.