Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
殉職 (じゅんしょく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
dying on duty ; killed in the line of duty
Formal term for death while performing official duties, especially for police, firefighters, soldiers, and similar professions. Often used in news reports.
消しょう
防ぼう
士し
の
追つい
悼とう
式しき
が
行おこな
わ
れ
た
。
A memorial service was held for the firefighter who died on duty.
Kanji 殉 martyrdom, follow by resigning Similar words 戦せん 死し 戦死 specifically means 'killed in action' in a war or battle, while 殉職 is broader and covers death in any official duty, including non-combat roles.
死し 亡ぼう 死亡 is a general term for 'death' and lacks the nuance of dying while performing one's duty.
Etymology Compound of 殉 (じゅん, 'to follow in death' or 'to sacrifice oneself') and 職 (しょく, 'job' or 'duty'). The kanji 殉 originally referred to the practice of retainers following their lord in death, but in modern usage it has shifted to mean dying in the course of one's official responsibilities.
