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服従 (ふくじゅう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
obedience ; submission ; resignation
Refers to obeying or yielding to authority, rules, or a stronger power. Can imply passive acceptance or resignation. Often used in formal or serious contexts.
彼かれ は 上じょう 司し の 命めい 令れい に 服ふく 従じゅう し た 。
He submitted to his boss's orders.
Kanji 従 accompany, obey, submit to Similar words 従じゅう 順じゅん 従順 emphasizes a gentle, willing obedience or docility, often as a personality trait. 服従 is more about the act of submitting to authority, which can be forced or reluctant.
屈くっ 服ぷく 屈服 means surrendering or yielding under pressure, often after resistance. 服従 is broader and includes ongoing obedience, not just the moment of giving in.
Etymology Compound of 服 (submit, obey) and 従 (follow, obey). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination reinforces the meaning of obedience and submission.
