To sue is to formally bring a legal case against someone or an entity in a court of law.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To initiate a lawsuit in court.
- Formal legal action seeking judgment.
- Marks the start of judicial proceedings.
Overview
“起诉”是一个法律术语，指公民或法人向人民法院提起诉讼，请求法院对被告进行审判。它通常发生在一方认为自己的合法权益受到侵害，且通过协商或其他非司法途径无法解决时。起诉是启动司法程序的关键一步，意味着案件正式进入法律审判阶段，法院将介入调查和裁决。
（某人/单位）对（某人/单位）提起公诉/刑事起诉/民事起诉
法律诉讼：民事案件（如合同纠纷、侵权赔偿）、刑事案件（由检察机关代表国家提起公诉）、行政案件（公民或组织对行政机关的行为不服而提起诉讼）。
商业活动：公司之间或公司与个人之间的法律纠纷，常以“起诉”作为解决途径之一。
“告状”是比较口语化的说法，指向有关部门或上级反映情况，要求处理或制裁。它比“起诉”的范围更广，不局限于法院，可以是向学校、单位、政府部门等反映问题。起诉则专指向法院提起诉讼。
“控告”侧重于揭露、指证某人的罪行或错误，不一定伴随正式的法律程序，可以是向有关部门检举或在公开场合揭露。而“起诉”是特指向法院提起诉讼的行为。
“诉讼”是一个更广泛的概念，指人民法院、检察院、公安机关等国家司法机关在法定职权范围内，处理涉及民事、刑事、行政案件的活动。而“起诉”是诉讼活动中的一个特定环节，即提起诉讼的行为。
Examples
原告认为被告侵犯了他的专利权，已正式向法院提起诉讼。
legalThe plaintiff believes the defendant infringed his patent rights and has formally filed a lawsuit against them in court.
由于拖欠货款，供应商决定起诉这家零售商。
businessDue to unpaid invoices, the supplier decided to sue the retail company.
他气愤地说：“我一定要起诉他！”
informalHe said angrily, 'I will definitely sue him!'
检察机关依法对犯罪嫌疑人提起公诉。
legal/newsThe prosecutor's office formally indicted the suspect according to the law.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
提起公诉
to file a public prosecution
被起诉
to be sued / to be prosecuted
起诉方
plaintiff / prosecutor
Often Confused With
'控告' (kònggào) means to accuse someone of a crime or wrongdoing, often to an authority, but doesn't necessarily involve filing a formal lawsuit. '起诉' (qǐsù) specifically refers to the act of initiating legal proceedings in court.
'告状' (gàozhuàng) is a more general and often colloquial term for complaining or reporting an issue to someone in authority, which might not be a court. '起诉' is strictly about legal action taken at a court.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '起诉' is formal and primarily used in legal contexts or serious discussions about legal matters. It implies a formal initiation of legal proceedings. In everyday conversation, people might use simpler terms like '告' (gào) or '告他' (gào tā) if the context is clear and less formal, but '起诉' maintains a higher register.
Common Mistakes
Using '起诉' too casually can sound overly aggressive or inappropriate in informal settings. Also, confusing it with '控告' (accuse) or '告状' (complain to authority) is common; '起诉' specifically means bringing a case to court.
Tips
Formal Legal Action
Use '起诉' when referring to the formal process of initiating a lawsuit in a court of law.
Avoid Casual Usage
While understood in context, '起诉' is a formal legal term. Using it lightly in everyday conversation might sound overly aggressive or inappropriate.
Emphasis on Due Process
In Chinese culture, resorting to lawsuits is often seen as a last resort due to the emphasis on harmony and mediation. However, the legal system provides '起诉' as a fundamental right for protecting one's interests.
Word Origin
The character '起' (qǐ) means to begin, to start, or to rise. The character '诉' (sù) means to tell, to state, or to sue. Together, '起诉' literally means 'to begin to sue' or 'to start legal proceedings'.
Cultural Context
While legal recourse through '起诉' is a fundamental right, traditional Chinese culture often values mediation and maintaining social harmony. Resorting to lawsuits might sometimes be viewed as a breakdown of relationships, though this is evolving with increased legal awareness.
Memory Tip
Think of '起' (qǐ) as 'to rise' or 'to initiate', and '诉' (sù) as 'to plead' or 'to sue'. So, '起诉' means to initiate a plea or a suit in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“起诉”是法律术语，特指向法院提起诉讼，要求法院审判。而“告”是一个更宽泛的词，可以指向任何人或机构反映问题、提出申诉，不一定涉及法院。
在民事案件中，通常是认为自己权益受损的一方（原告）可以起诉；在刑事案件中，一般由代表国家的检察机关提起公诉；在行政案件中，是公民或组织对行政机关的行为不服时提起。
起诉后，法院会审查起诉是否符合法定条件。如果符合，会受理案件，并将起诉状副本送达被告。之后，案件将进入审理程序，可能包括庭前会议、开庭审理等环节。
提起民事诉讼一般需要有明确的原告和被告，有具体的诉讼请求、事实和理由，并且属于人民法院受理民事诉讼的范围。刑事案件的起诉则由检察机关审查证据后决定是否提起。
Test Yourself
因合同未能履行，该公司决定将其______至法院。
这里指正式向法院提起诉讼，使用“起诉”最准确。
“起诉”最准确地描述了以下哪种行为？
起诉是特指向法院提起法律诉讼的行为。
将“他”、“公司”、“起诉”、“了”、“一个”、“项目”、“因”组成一个句子。
这个句子结构完整，符合“主语+原因状语+谓语+宾语”的句式，表达了起诉的原因和对象。
Score: /3
Summary
To sue is to formally bring a legal case against someone or an entity in a court of law.
- To initiate a lawsuit in court.
- Formal legal action seeking judgment.
- Marks the start of judicial proceedings.
Formal Legal Action
Use '起诉' when referring to the formal process of initiating a lawsuit in a court of law.
Avoid Casual Usage
While understood in context, '起诉' is a formal legal term. Using it lightly in everyday conversation might sound overly aggressive or inappropriate.
Emphasis on Due Process
In Chinese culture, resorting to lawsuits is often seen as a last resort due to the emphasis on harmony and mediation. However, the legal system provides '起诉' as a fundamental right for protecting one's interests.
Examples
4 of 4原告认为被告侵犯了他的专利权，已正式向法院提起诉讼。
The plaintiff believes the defendant infringed his patent rights and has formally filed a lawsuit against them in court.
由于拖欠货款，供应商决定起诉这家零售商。
Due to unpaid invoices, the supplier decided to sue the retail company.
他气愤地说：“我一定要起诉他！”
He said angrily, 'I will definitely sue him!'
检察机关依法对犯罪嫌疑人提起公诉。
The prosecutor's office formally indicted the suspect according to the law.
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