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B2 noun 9 min read

起诉

qi su

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 起诉 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 起诉 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '起诉' (qǐsù) is a very difficult word because it is formal and legal. However, you can think of it as a very serious way of saying 'to tell a judge that someone did something wrong.' Imagine you are in a store and someone takes your money. You are angry. You go to a big building called a 'court' (法院). You tell the people there, 'This person took my money!' That act of telling the court so they can start a trial is '起诉'. At this level, you don't need to use this word, but you might hear it in movies when someone is very angry and says 'I will sue you!' (我要起诉你!). Just remember: '起' means start, and '诉' means tell a problem. So, 'start telling a problem to a judge.' It's much more serious than telling a friend or a teacher.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to understand more formal situations. '起诉' (qǐsù) is used when two people or two companies have a big fight that they cannot solve by talking. For example, if you work for a company and they don't pay you your salary, you might need to '起诉' the company. You are 'bringing the case to court.' You should know that '起诉' is different from '告诉' (tell). '告诉' is for friends, but '起诉' is for lawyers and judges. You might see this word in simple news stories or on TV. It usually follows the pattern: A 起诉 B. For example, '他起诉了他的邻居' (He sued his neighbor). This is a formal action, not just a casual complaint.

At the B1 level, you should be able to recognize '起诉' (qǐsù) in various contexts, especially in news and workplace discussions. You should understand that it is a formal legal verb. It's important to distinguish it from '打官司' (dǎ guānsi), which is the more common, colloquial way to say 'to go to law' or 'to have a lawsuit.' While '打官司' covers the whole process of being in court, '起诉' specifically refers to the act of filing the case or starting the prosecution. You will often see it used with '法院' (court) and '律师' (lawyer). For example: '律师准备起诉那家公司' (The lawyer is preparing to sue that company). You should also be aware of the passive form '被起诉' (to be sued/prosecuted), which is common in news reports about famous people or big corporations.

At the B2 level, '起诉' (qǐsù) is a key vocabulary word for discussing legal rights, business disputes, and social justice. You should be comfortable using it in both civil and criminal contexts. In civil law, it means 'to sue' for things like breach of contract (违约) or infringement (侵权). In criminal law, you should understand the term '提起公诉' (tíqǐ gōngsù), which is when the state (the Procuratorate) prosecutes a criminal. You should also know related terms like '原告' (plaintiff) - the one who sues, and '被告' (defendant) - the one being sued. You should be able to use the word in complex sentences, such as: '由于双方无法通过协商解决争议，原告决定正式提起起诉' (Since both parties could not resolve the dispute through negotiation, the plaintiff decided to formally file a lawsuit). You should also understand the concept of '撤诉' (withdrawing a lawsuit).

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '起诉' (qǐsù) within the Chinese legal system. You should be able to discuss the procedural requirements for a court to '受理' (accept/handle) an '起诉', such as having a specific defendant, a clear claim, and sufficient evidence. You should distinguish between '民事起诉' (civil lawsuit), '行政起诉' (administrative lawsuit against the government), and '刑事起诉' (criminal prosecution). Furthermore, you should be able to use the term in academic or professional legal writing. For instance, discussing the '起诉权' (right to sue) or the '起诉时效' (statute of limitations). You should also be familiar with the distinction between '起诉' and '控告', where the latter is often the initial report of a crime to the police, whereas '起诉' is the formal entry into the judicial trial phase.

At the C2 level, you should master '起诉' (qǐsù) in the context of legal theory and international law. You can discuss complex topics such as '恶意起诉' (malicious prosecution) and its impact on the judicial system, or the jurisdictional challenges of '跨境起诉' (cross-border lawsuits) in the digital age. You should be able to analyze the linguistic nuances between '起诉', '申诉' (appeal/petition), and '公诉'. At this level, you are expected to understand the historical evolution of the term from traditional Chinese law to the modern civil law system. You should be able to read and interpret '起诉书' (indictments/complaints) with ease, understanding the formalistic language and the logical structure required by the court. You can also discuss the socio-legal implications of '起诉' as a mechanism for social change, such as environmental public interest litigation (环境公益诉讼).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

起诉 in 30 Seconds

起诉 means to formally sue or prosecute someone in a court of law.
It is a formal legal term used in both civil and criminal contexts.
The person who sues is the plaintiff (原告), and the one sued is the defendant (被告).
It is more formal than '打官司' and refers specifically to the initiation of the case.

The word 起诉 (qǐsù) is a formal legal term used in Chinese to describe the act of initiating a lawsuit or bringing a legal action against another party in a court of law. While it is often translated as 'to sue' in civil contexts, it also encompasses the broader legal concept of 'prosecution' in criminal contexts. Understanding this word requires looking at its components: 起 (qǐ), meaning to start, rise, or initiate, and 诉 (sù), meaning to tell, complain, or accuse. Together, they represent the formal 'starting of an accusation' within a judicial framework.

Legal Framework: In the Chinese legal system, 起诉 is the first step in a litigation process. It involves submitting a formal complaint (起诉状) to a People's Court. This can be done by an individual (private prosecution or civil suit) or by the state (public prosecution).
Civil vs. Criminal: In civil law, it refers to one person or entity suing another for damages or breach of contract. In criminal law, the People's Procuratorate (检察院) usually initiates the prosecution, known as '公诉' (public prosecution), though victims can sometimes initiate '自诉' (private prosecution) for minor offenses.

如果你不履行合同，我将正式向法院提请起诉。(If you do not fulfill the contract, I will formally file a lawsuit in court.)

People use this word when discussions move from informal disputes to formal legal battles. It is not a word used lightly in daily conversation; using it implies that legal counsel has been sought or that the situation has reached a point of no return where a judge must intervene. You will hear it frequently in news reports regarding corporate disputes, intellectual property theft, or high-profile criminal cases.

受害者决定起诉这家制造假药的公司。(The victim decided to sue the company that manufactured the counterfeit medicine.)

The Plaintiff: The person who initiates the '起诉' is called the '原告' (yuángào). They are the one 'starting the complaint'.

Culturally, Chinese society traditionally preferred mediation (调解) over litigation. However, in modern China, '起诉' has become a standard tool for protecting rights, especially in the business and technology sectors. When someone says '我要起诉你' (I am going to sue you), it is a very serious threat indicating that the relationship has completely broken down and legal intervention is imminent.

检察院对嫌疑人提起公职起诉。(The Procuratorate brought a public prosecution against the suspect.)

Using 起诉 correctly requires understanding the different syntactic patterns it fits into. Because it is a formal word, it often appears with specific verbs and prepositions that define the legal action. The most common structure is 'Subject + 起诉 + Object', but there are several variations depending on the level of formality and the specific legal procedure being described.

Structure 1: Direct Action: [Person A] 起诉 [Person B]. This is the simplest way to say 'Person A sues Person B'. Example: 他起诉了他的前任雇主 (He sued his former employer).
Structure 2: Formal Filing: 提起起诉 (tíqǐ qǐsù). Here, '起诉' acts as a noun. This is the standard phrase for 'to file a lawsuit'. Example: 律师建议我们立即提起起诉 (The lawyer suggested we file a lawsuit immediately).

由于证据不足，法院拒绝受理这项起诉。(Due to insufficient evidence, the court refused to accept this lawsuit.)

When specifying the grounds for the lawsuit, use the preposition '因' (yīn - because of/on the grounds of). For example, '因违约起诉' (to sue for breach of contract). This makes your Chinese sound more professional and precise, which is essential when using a B2-level vocabulary word like this.

该公司因侵犯专利权而被起诉。(The company was sued for patent infringement.)

Structure 3: Specifying the Court: 向 [Court] 起诉 [Person]. Example: 我们向中级人民法院起诉了对方 (We sued the other party in the Intermediate People's Court).

In criminal contexts, you will often see '提起公诉' (tíqǐ gōngsù). This specifically refers to the state prosecution bringing charges against a defendant. If a prosecutor is the subject, this is the phrase you must use. Conversely, if a person is dropping a lawsuit, the term is '撤回起诉' (chèhuí qǐsù) or simply '撤诉' (chèsù).

双方达成和解后，原告决定撤回起诉。(After the two parties reached a settlement, the plaintiff decided to withdraw the lawsuit.)

You are most likely to encounter 起诉 in formal environments or media. It is a staple of news broadcasts, legal dramas, and business negotiations. Unlike common verbs for 'to tell' or 'to fight', 起诉 signals that a situation has entered the realm of the state's judicial power.

News and Media: Headline: '某跨国企业因垄断行为被起诉' (A multinational corporation sued for monopolistic behavior). In these contexts, it provides a factual, objective tone to the reporting.
Legal Dramas (TV Shows): Characters will often debate whether they have enough evidence (证据) to '起诉'. A lawyer might say: '如果我们现在起诉，胜算并不大' (If we sue now, the chances of winning are not great).

他在新闻发布会上宣布，将对诽谤者提起法律起诉。(He announced at the press conference that he would bring a legal lawsuit against the slanderers.)

In the corporate world, '起诉' is used during high-stakes contract disputes. If a company fails to pay for services rendered, the finance or legal department will issue a '律师函' (lawyer's letter) threatening to '起诉'. This is a strategic move to force a settlement before actually going to court.

检察官正在准备对这起诈骗案提起起诉。(The prosecutor is preparing to bring a prosecution for this fraud case.)

Everyday Life: In daily life, people might use it when dealing with consumer rights. For instance, if a landlord refuses to return a deposit, a tenant might say: '我要去法院起诉你' (I'm going to court to sue you). It shows the speaker knows their rights.

Finally, you will see it on official documents. A '起诉书' (Indictment/Complaint) is the physical document that outlines the charges or claims. If you ever see this document in a movie or real life, the title will always contain the word '起诉'. It is the definitive word for the commencement of legal hostilities.

被告收到了法院寄来的起诉状副本。(The defendant received a copy of the complaint sent by the court.)

While 起诉 is a straightforward legal term, learners often make mistakes regarding its register, its object, and its confusion with similar-sounding or similar-meaning words. Because it is a formal term, using it in the wrong context can make you sound overly aggressive or technically incorrect.

Mistake 1: Confusing '起诉' with '告': '告' (gào) is a very general word. It can mean to tell, to inform, or to sue (informally). '起诉' is strictly legal. You wouldn't say '我起诉老师我不舒服' (I sue the teacher I'm not feeling well); you would use '告' or '告诉'. Conversely, in a formal legal document, you must use '起诉', not just '告'.
Mistake 2: Incorrect Subject-Verb Agreement in Criminal Law: In criminal cases, the police (警察) do not '起诉' suspects. The police '逮捕' (arrest) and '移送' (transfer) the case. Only the '检察院' (Procuratorate) can '起诉' (prosecute) a criminal in the public interest. Learners often say '警察起诉了他', which is legally inaccurate in the Chinese system.

错误：警察起诉了那个小偷。(Incorrect: The police sued the thief.)
正确：检察院对那个小偷提起了公诉。(Correct: The Procuratorate brought a public prosecution against the thief.)

Another common error is using '起诉' for non-legal accusations. If you want to say 'He accused me of lying' in a social context, use '指责' (zhǐzé) or '控诉' (kòngsù - emotional accusation). Using '起诉' implies you are literally taking them to court over the lie.

错误：他起诉了我迟到。(Incorrect: He sued me for being late.)
正确：他指责我迟到。(Correct: He criticized me for being late.)

Mistake 3: Confusing '起诉' and '上诉': '起诉' (qǐsù) is the initial act of suing at the beginning of a trial. '上诉' (shàngsù) is to appeal a decision to a higher court after a trial has ended. Learners often swap these, but they represent opposite ends of the legal process.

Finally, remember that '起诉' is an action. Sometimes learners forget the verb '提起' (tíqǐ) when using it as a noun. While '进行起诉' (conduct a lawsuit) is okay, '提起起诉' or just using '起诉' as a verb is much more natural.

In the realm of legal and formal accusations, Chinese has several words that overlap with 起诉. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are in a courtroom, a police station, or a heated argument at home.

起诉 (qǐsù) vs. 控告 (kònggào): '起诉' is the act of filing the lawsuit in court. '控告' is the act of accusing someone of a crime, often to the police or authorities. You '控告' someone to get the police involved; you '起诉' someone to get a judge involved.
起诉 (qǐsù) vs. 指控 (zhǐkòng): '指控' means 'to charge' or 'to accuse'. It is often used to describe the specific allegations within a case. For example, '他被指控犯有谋杀罪' (He was charged with murder). '起诉' is the procedural action, while '指控' is the content of the accusation.

检察院正式对嫌疑人起诉，指控其贪污公款。(The Procuratorate formally prosecuted the suspect, charging him with embezzling public funds.)

For more informal situations, you might use '告状' (gàozhuàng). This is often used by children ('tattling') or in low-level workplace disputes. It is the opposite of '起诉' in terms of formality. If you '告状' to your boss, you are complaining; if you '起诉' your boss, you are involving lawyers.

与其在背后告状，不如通过法律途径正式起诉。(Instead of complaining behind their back, it's better to formally sue through legal channels.)

诉讼 (sùsòng): '诉讼' is the noun for 'litigation' or 'lawsuit'. While '起诉' is the start, '诉讼' refers to the whole process. '提起起诉' initiates the '诉讼程序' (litigation procedure).

In summary, use '起诉' when you want to sound professional and precise about the legal act of starting a court case. Use its alternatives to specify the nature of the accusation or the level of formality required by the social context.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In traditional China, people avoided '起诉' because of the Confucian emphasis on harmony. Going to court was seen as a failure of character or family management. Today, it is a sign of legal awareness.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃiː suː/

US /tʃi su/

The stress is balanced, but the second syllable 'sù' is shorter and sharper due to the 4th tone.

Rhymes With

起 (qǐ) rhymes with: 米 (mǐ), 几 (jǐ), 你 (nǐ) 诉 (sù) rhymes with: 路 (lù), 步 (bù), 库 (kù), 树 (shù), 兔 (tù), 虎 (hǔ - partial), 苦 (kǔ - partial), 顾 (gù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'q' as a 'k' sound (like 'ki').
Pronouncing 'su' as 'shu'.
Getting the tones wrong (should be 3rd and 4th).
Confusing 'qi' with 'qu'.
Making the 'u' sound too much like 'uh'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Easy to recognize in context, but requires knowledge of formal characters.

Writing 5/5

The character '诉' can be tricky to write correctly (don't forget the dots).

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is relatively easy once 'q' and 's' are mastered.

Listening 4/5

Often heard in fast-paced news or legal dramas.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

法院 (Court) 法律 (Law) 告诉 (Tell) 钱 (Money) 人 (Person)

Learn Next

律师 (Lawyer) 证据 (Evidence) 判决 (Judgment) 赔偿 (Compensation) 合同 (Contract)

Advanced

诉讼法 (Procedural Law) 管辖权 (Jurisdiction) 举证责任 (Burden of proof) 调解书 (Mediation agreement) 强制执行 (Enforcement)

Grammar to Know

The 'Bei' (被) Construction for Passive Voice

他因为偷窃被起诉了。 (He was prosecuted for theft.)

Using 'Xiang' (向) for Direction/Target

向法院起诉。 (Sue in court.)

Verb-Object Compounds as Nouns

他的起诉被受理了。 (His lawsuit was accepted.)

Using 'Yin' (因) to show cause in formal Chinese

因侵权而被起诉。 (Sued due to infringement.)

The 'Ba' (把) construction with legal actions

他把对方起诉到了法院。 (He sued the other party in court - emphasis on the object.)

Examples by Level

我不喜欢他，我要起诉他。

I don't like him, I want to sue him.

A1 level usage is very basic, using the word as a direct verb.

他在法院起诉了那个人。

He sued that person in court.

Uses '在' to indicate location.

为什么你要起诉我？

Why do you want to sue me?

Simple question structure.

我不怕你起诉我。

I'm not afraid of you suing me.

Negative structure with '不怕'.

他起诉了那家小店。

He sued that small shop.

Direct object following the verb.

我们要起诉这个坏人。

We are going to sue this bad person.

Using '要' for future intent.

起诉是很麻烦的事情。

Suing is a very troublesome thing.

Using '起诉' as a noun/gerund.

他决定不起诉了。

He decided not to sue anymore.

Using '决定不' to negate the action.

如果你不还钱，我就起诉你。

If you don't return the money, I will sue you.

Conditional '如果...就...' structure.

公司起诉了那名员工。

The company sued that employee.

Subject is an organization.

他因为车祸起诉了对方司机。

He sued the other driver because of the car accident.

Using '因为' to state the reason.

律师说我们可以起诉他。

The lawyer said we can sue him.

Modal verb '可以' showing possibility.

他被他的邻居起诉了。

He was sued by his neighbor.

Passive '被' construction.

起诉需要很多证据。

Suing requires a lot of evidence.

Using '起诉' as a subject.

他们向当地法院起诉了这家工厂。

They sued this factory in the local court.

Using '向...起诉' to specify the court.

我不愿意起诉我的朋友。

I am not willing to sue my friend.

Negative desire '不愿意'.

由于合同纠纷，他决定起诉合作伙伴。

Due to a contract dispute, he decided to sue his partner.

Formal reason '由于...'.

受害者已经正式向法院提起起诉。

The victim has already formally filed a lawsuit with the court.

Formal phrase '提起起诉'.

如果协商不成，我们只能起诉了。

If negotiation fails, we have no choice but to sue.

Conditional '如果...不成...只能...'.

这家公司因虚假广告被消费者起诉。

This company was sued by consumers for false advertising.

Passive voice with a reason '因...被...'.

律师正在收集证据准备起诉。

The lawyer is collecting evidence to prepare for the lawsuit.

Present progressive '正在'.

他起诉对方诽谤，要求赔偿损失。

He sued the other party for defamation and demanded compensation for losses.

Double verbs '起诉...要求...'.

法院已经受理了这项起诉。

The court has already accepted this lawsuit.

Legal term '受理' (to accept a case).

为了保护权益，你必须起诉。

In order to protect your rights, you must sue.

Purpose clause '为了...必须...'.

检察机关对这起贪污案提起了公诉。

The procuratorial organs brought a public prosecution for this embezzlement case.

Specific legal term '提起公诉'.

原告在起诉书中详细列举了被告的罪状。

The plaintiff detailed the defendant's crimes in the complaint.

Using '起诉书' (complaint/indictment).

由于证据不足，法院驳回了他的起诉。

Due to insufficient evidence, the court dismissed his lawsuit.

Legal term '驳回' (to dismiss/reject).

如果不及时起诉，可能会超过诉讼时效。

If the lawsuit is not filed in time, the statute of limitations may expire.

Legal concept '诉讼时效'.

他打算起诉该杂志侵犯其隐私权。

He intends to sue the magazine for infringing on his right to privacy.

Specific legal ground '侵犯...权'.

双方在开庭前达成了和解，原告撤回了起诉。

The two parties reached a settlement before the trial, and the plaintiff withdrew the lawsuit.

Legal term '撤回起诉'.

被告聘请了资深律师来应对起诉。

The defendant hired a senior lawyer to respond to the lawsuit.

Verb '应对' (to deal with/respond to).

这起起诉引起了社会的广泛关注。

This lawsuit has attracted widespread social attention.

Abstract subject '这起起诉'.

环境公益起诉旨在制止企业的排污行为。

Environmental public interest litigation aims to stop the pollution discharge of enterprises.

Specialized term '环境公益起诉'.

法院认为该起诉符合法定条件，应予立案。

The court held that the lawsuit met the statutory conditions and should be filed.

Formal legal language '应予立案'.

恶意起诉不仅浪费司法资源，还可能构成犯罪。

Malicious prosecution not only wastes judicial resources but may also constitute a crime.

Legal concept '恶意起诉'.

由于管辖权异议，该起诉被移送至其他法院。

Due to a jurisdictional objection, the lawsuit was transferred to another court.

Technical term '管辖权异议'.

起诉权是公民的一项基本权利，不容侵犯。

The right to sue is a basic right of citizens and cannot be violated.

Abstract concept '起诉权'.

律师在庭审中指出，对方的起诉缺乏事实依据。

The lawyer pointed out during the trial that the other party's lawsuit lacked a factual basis.

Formal phrase '缺乏事实依据'.

刑事自诉案件中，受害者直接向法院提起起诉。

In criminal private prosecution cases, the victim files a lawsuit directly with the court.

Legal distinction '刑事自诉'.

该判决书对起诉书中的每一项指控都作出了回应。

The judgment responded to every allegation in the indictment.

Complex relation between '判决书', '起诉书', and '指控'.

在国际法框架下，受害者可对战争罪行提起起诉。

Under the framework of international law, victims can bring prosecutions for war crimes.

High-level contextual usage.

起诉状的撰写必须逻辑严密，法律援引准确。

The drafting of a complaint must be logically rigorous and the legal citations must be accurate.

Focus on the technicality of the word.

该案涉及跨国法律冲突，使得起诉过程异常复杂。

The case involves cross-border legal conflicts, making the prosecution process exceptionally complex.

C2 level complexity.

司法独立是确保公正起诉和判决的前提条件。

Judicial independence is a prerequisite for ensuring fair prosecution and judgment.

Philosophical/Political legal discussion.

辩方律师试图证明起诉方的证据链存在断裂。

The defense lawyer tried to prove that there was a break in the prosecution's chain of evidence.

Technical legal term '证据链'.

行政起诉为公民监督政府权力提供了法律途径。

Administrative litigation provides a legal avenue for citizens to supervise government power.

Specific legal category '行政起诉'.

检察官拥有自由裁量权来决定是否对轻微罪行提起起诉。

Prosecutors have the discretion to decide whether to bring a prosecution for minor offenses.

Legal term '自由裁量权'.

起诉程序的正当性直接影响到法治社会的信誉。

The legitimacy of the prosecution procedure directly affects the credibility of a society ruled by law.

Sociological/Legal analysis.

Common Collocations

提起起诉

被起诉

撤回起诉

起诉状

起诉权

恶意起诉

刑事起诉

民事起诉

起诉书

提起公诉

Common Phrases

我要起诉你

— A serious threat meaning 'I am going to sue you'.

你如果不道歉，我要起诉你诽谤。

向法院起诉

— To file a lawsuit with the court.

他决定向法院起诉他的前老板。

因...被起诉

— To be sued or prosecuted because of a specific reason.

他因涉嫌诈骗被起诉。

起诉期

— The period during which one can legally file a lawsuit.

这个案件已经过了起诉期。

放弃起诉

— To give up the right to sue or decide not to sue.

双方达成协议后，他放弃了起诉。

提起刑事起诉

— To bring criminal charges.

警方建议对嫌疑人提起刑事起诉。

受理起诉

— When a court accepts a lawsuit for trial.

法院今日正式受理了这项起诉。

驳回起诉

— When a court rejects a lawsuit.

法官因证据不足驳回了起诉。

追加起诉

— To add more charges or parties to an existing lawsuit.

律师决定追加起诉另一名被告。

共同起诉

— When multiple people sue together.

受害者们决定共同起诉这家工厂。

Often Confused With

起诉 vs 上诉

Suing (起诉) is at the start; Appealing (上诉) is after the first judgment.

起诉 vs 控告

Accusing (控告) is usually to the police; Suing (起诉) is to the court.

起诉 vs 申诉

Petitioning (申诉) is usually to correct a wrong judgment or administrative decision.

Idioms & Expressions

"对簿公堂"

— To confront each other in court. It describes the state of both parties being in a legal battle.

昔日的好友如今竟然对簿公堂。

Formal/Literary

"诉诸法律"

— To resort to the law. Using legal means to solve a problem.

我们应该诉诸法律来维护权益。

Formal

"倒打一耙"

— To make a counter-accusation. Often used when someone who is being sued sues back maliciously.

他明明理亏，却还要倒打一耙起诉我。

Informal/Idiomatic

"证据确凿"

— The evidence is irrefutable. A common phrase used when deciding whether to prosecute.

既然证据确凿，我们应该立即起诉。

Formal

"天网恢恢"

— Justice has a long arm (the net of heaven is wide). Often used when a criminal is finally prosecuted.

天网恢恢，疏而不漏，他最终还是被起诉了。

Literary

"依法办事"

— To act according to the law.

我们要依法办事，不能随意起诉。

Formal

"胜诉"

— To win a lawsuit (often used as a result of an起诉).

经过长期的努力，他终于胜诉了。

Formal

"败诉"

— To lose a lawsuit.

由于准备不足，他在起诉中败诉了。

Formal

"公事公办"

— To handle matters strictly according to official rules.

这件事我们必须公事公办，该起诉就起诉。

Neutral

"法网难逃"

— Hard to escape the net of the law.

他犯下重罪，自然是法网难逃，必被起诉。

Literary

Easily Confused

起诉 vs 指控

Both involve accusations.

起诉 is the legal action/procedure; 指控 is the specific claim or charge.

检察院起诉他，指控他杀人。

起诉 vs 自诉

Both involve suing.

自诉 is a private prosecution in a criminal case; 起诉 is a general term.

这属于刑事自诉案件。

起诉 vs 公诉

Both involve legal action.

公诉 is by the state; 起诉 can be by anyone.

检察官负责提起公诉。

起诉 vs 反诉

Both involve suing.

反诉 is when the defendant sues the plaintiff back in the same case.

被告在庭审中提出了反诉。

起诉 vs 撤诉

Sounds similar.

撤诉 is the opposite; it means taking back the lawsuit.

由于证据不足，他决定撤诉。

Sentence Patterns

A 起诉 B。

他起诉了邻居。

A 因 [原因] 起诉 B。

他因欠钱起诉了朋友。

B 被 A 起诉了。

他被公司起诉了。

A 向法院提起起诉。

受害者向法院提起起诉。

法院受理了 A 的起诉。

法院受理了原告的起诉。

对...提起公诉。

检察院对嫌疑人提起公诉。

撤回对 B 的起诉。

原告决定撤回对被告的起诉。

起诉...的行为构成...

起诉该公司的行为构成了法律维权的典范。

Word Family

Nouns

起诉人 (Plaintiff/Prosecutor)

起诉状 (Complaint/Indictment)

起诉书 (Indictment document)

被起诉人 (The accused/Defendant)

Verbs

提起 (To bring/file)

撤诉 (To withdraw a lawsuit)

上诉 (To appeal)

申诉 (To petition/appeal)

Adjectives

可起诉的 (Actionable/Suable)

被起诉的 (Accused/Sued)

法院 (Court)

律师 (Lawyer)

证据 (Evidence)

判决 (Judgment)

法律 (Law)

How to Use It

frequency

High in legal and news contexts; Low in casual friendly conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using '起诉' for telling a secret or reporting a friend. → 告诉 (gàosu) or 告状 (gàozhuàng).
'起诉' is strictly for formal court cases. Using it for social gossip is incorrect and sounds strange.
Saying '警察起诉了他' (The police sued him). → 检察院起诉了他 (The Procuratorate prosecuted him).
In China, the police investigate, but the Procuratorate is the legal body that brings charges (起诉) to court.
Confusing '起诉' (to sue) with '上诉' (to appeal). → Use '起诉' for the first time you go to court.
'起诉' is the beginning of the legal process. '上诉' is what you do after a judge has already made a decision you don't like.
Using '起诉' to mean 'to accuse' in a verbal argument. → 指责 (zhǐzé) or 控诉 (kòngsù).
If you are just yelling at someone, you are '指责' them. '起诉' requires a legal filing.
Forgetting the classifier for '起诉'. → 一起起诉 (yī qǐ qǐsù).
When counting lawsuits, the classifier is '起' (qǐ).

Tips

Using the 'Xiang' Preposition

When you want to specify the court where you are filing the lawsuit, always use the preposition '向' (xiàng). For example: '向地方法院起诉' (Sue in the local court). This is the standard grammatical structure for legal actions.

Plaintiff vs Defendant

To master '起诉', you must know its surrounding cast. The '原告' (yuángào) is the one who starts the '起诉', and the '被告' (bèigào) is the one who is '被起诉' (sued). Remembering these terms will help you understand news reports much faster.

Business Etiquette

In a Chinese business context, threatening to '起诉' is a very aggressive move. It is often better to first send a '律师函' (lawyer's letter) or suggest '调解' (mediation). Only use '起诉' when you are ready to end the business relationship.

Document Names

If you are writing a formal essay or a story about law, distinguish between '起诉状' (civil complaint) and '起诉书' (criminal indictment). Using the correct term shows a high level of Chinese proficiency (C1/C2 level).

Tone Accuracy

The word '诉' (sù) is 4th tone. If you say it with a flat 1st tone, it might sound like '素' (vegetarian) or '苏' (a surname). Ensure you drop the pitch sharply at the end of the word for clarity.

News Keywords

When listening to news about the '检察院' (Procuratorate), the word '起诉' almost always refers to '公诉' (public prosecution). This helps you distinguish between government actions and private disputes.

The Role of Mediation

In China, many '起诉' cases are actually resolved through '庭前调解' (pre-trial mediation). The judge will often try to get both parties to agree before the formal trial begins. This reflects the cultural value of social harmony.

Statute of Limitations

Learn the term '诉讼时效' (sùsòng shíxiào). If you wait too long to '起诉', you lose your right to do so. In China, the general period is 3 years for most civil disputes.

Character Breakdown

Break down the character '诉' (sù). On the left is '言' (speech), on the right is '斥' (to scold/blame). It literally means to speak out a blame. This visual aid makes the meaning easier to remember.

The 'Q' Sound

The 'q' in 'qǐ' is an aspirated 'ch' sound. Place your tongue behind your lower teeth and release a sharp burst of air. It is different from the 'j' sound in 'ji', which is not aspirated.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Qi' (起) as 'Starting' a car and 'Su' (诉) as 'Suing'. You are starting the suing process.

Visual Association

Imagine a lawyer standing up (起) and pointing (诉) at a defendant in a courtroom.

Word Web

法院 (Court) 律师 (Lawyer) 原告 (Plaintiff) 被告 (Defendant) 证据 (Evidence) 法官 (Judge) 法律 (Law) 赔偿 (Compensation)

Challenge

Try to write a sentence using '起诉', '证据', and '律师' to describe a business dispute.

Word Origin

The term '起诉' is a modern legal term that combines two ancient characters. '起' (qǐ) dates back to the Oracle Bone Script, depicting a person standing and a foot, implying 'to rise' or 'to start'. '诉' (sù) contains the 'speech' radical (讠), implying 'to tell' or 'to complain'.

Original meaning: In ancient times, '诉' meant to report a grievance to a superior. '起诉' as a specific legal compound became standardized during the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republican era as China modernized its legal system based on Western models.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when using '我要起诉你' in personal relationships; it is extremely aggressive and will likely end the friendship.

In the West, 'suing' is often seen as a common way to settle disputes. In China, while becoming more common, it still carries a heavier social weight of 'conflict'.

The movie 'The Story of Qiu Ju' (秋菊打官司) - about a woman's persistence in seeking justice through the legal system. News about Apple or Huawei suing each other for patent infringement. Legal dramas like 'The Best Partner' (精英律师).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Dispute

违约起诉 (Sue for breach of contract)
侵权起诉 (Sue for infringement)
提起民事诉讼 (Bring a civil suit)
律师函 (Lawyer's letter)

Criminal Case

提起公诉 (Bring a public prosecution)
刑事起诉 (Criminal prosecution)
检察官 (Prosecutor)
罪名 (Charge/Crime)

Personal Conflict

我要起诉你 (I will sue you)
诽谤罪 (Defamation)
名誉权 (Right to reputation)
法庭见 (See you in court)

Consumer Rights

起诉商家 (Sue the merchant)
消费者协会 (Consumer association)
维权 (Protecting rights)
退款 (Refund)

News Reporting

被提起起诉 (To have a lawsuit filed against)
涉嫌犯罪 (Suspected of a crime)
庭审现场 (Trial scene)
公开审理 (Public trial)

Conversation Starters

"你听说过最近那个著名的起诉案吗？ (Have you heard about that famous lawsuit recently?)"

"如果你遇到合同纠纷，你会选择起诉吗？ (If you encounter a contract dispute, would you choose to sue?)"

"在你的国家，起诉一个大公司容易吗？ (In your country, is it easy to sue a big company?)"

"你觉得起诉是解决问题的最好方法吗？ (Do you think suing is the best way to solve a problem?)"

"如果有人诽谤你，你会起诉他吗？ (If someone slanders you, would you sue them?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你听说过的或者经历过的起诉案件。为什么会发生？结果如何？ (Describe a lawsuit you heard about or experienced. Why did it happen? What was the result?)

讨论法律在社会中的作用，以及为什么‘起诉’是公民的重要权利。 (Discuss the role of law in society and why 'suing' is an important right for citizens.)

如果你是一名律师，你会如何帮助你的客户准备起诉？ (If you were a lawyer, how would you help your client prepare for a lawsuit?)

比较起诉和调解的优缺点。你更倾向于哪种方式？ (Compare the pros and cons of suing and mediation. Which do you prefer?)

想象你被一家大公司不公平地对待了，写下你的起诉计划。 (Imagine you were treated unfairly by a large company; write down your plan to sue.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '起诉' is strictly for legal actions in a court. For a small argument, use '争吵' (zhēngchǎo) or '闹矛盾' (nào máodùn). Using '起诉' would imply you are hiring a lawyer and going to a judge, which is too extreme for a social tiff.

'起诉' (qǐsù) is the formal, technical term for initiating a lawsuit. '打官司' (dǎ guānsi) is the colloquial term for the whole process of being involved in litigation. You would use '起诉' in a contract and '打官司' when chatting with a neighbor.

Any citizen or legal entity (like a company) who has a direct interest in a case and has a specific defendant and claim can '起诉'. In criminal cases, usually the '检察院' (Procuratorate) does the '起诉' (as a public prosecution).

Not necessarily. After you '起诉', the court must first '受理' (accept) the case. If the evidence is too weak or it doesn't meet legal requirements, the court can '驳回' (dismiss) the '起诉'. Also, parties can '和解' (settle) before the trial starts.

It can be both. As a verb: '他起诉了公司'. As a noun: '他的起诉被法院受理了'. In formal contexts, it is often paired with the verb '提起' (tíqǐ) to mean 'to file a lawsuit'.

An '起诉书' is the formal Indictment or Complaint document. In criminal cases, it is prepared by the prosecutor. In civil cases, it is often called an '起诉状' (qǐsùzhuàng) and is prepared by the plaintiff or their lawyer.

Technically, no. The police '逮捕' (arrest) and '侦查' (investigate). They then hand the evidence to the '检察院' (Procuratorate), which is the body that decides whether to '起诉' the suspect in court.

The most common and formal way is '撤回起诉' (chèhuí qǐsù), often shortened to '撤诉' (chèsù). This usually happens if the parties reach a settlement outside of court.

'恶意起诉' (mǎ'yì qǐsù) means 'malicious prosecution'. It's when someone sues another person without a valid reason, just to harass them or damage their reputation. This can be a crime itself.

Yes, '起诉' is the standard term in all Chinese-speaking legal systems, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, though the specific procedural laws and court names may vary.