zi6 kyut3自決自决

Jyutpingzi6 kyut3

Yalejih kyut

動詞

Definition

To commit suicide, or to make one's own decisions.

to commit suicide
to make one's own decisions; self-determination

writtenhealthemotion

How it's used

自決 is a formal or literary way to refer to suicide, often carrying a more solemn or dramatic weight than the common term 自殺. While it can literally mean to decide for oneself, in modern contexts it is frequently used as a euphemism to avoid the bluntness of the more clinical 自殺. Be aware that in political contexts, the term carries a completely different meaning related to self-determination, which can lead to significant confusion.

Examples

keoi5佢jan1因wai6為aat3壓lik6力taai3太daai6大，jat1一si4時nam2諗m4唔hoi1開zau6就zi6自kyut3決zo2咗。

Because of too much pressure, he couldn't think straight and committed suicide.

dim2點gaai2解keoi5佢wui2會gaan2揀zi6自kyut3決le1呢tiu4條lou6路aa1呀？

Why did he choose the path of suicide?

Common phrases

zaap6集tai2體zi6自kyut3決

mass suicide

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the political concept of self-determination, which is also written as 自決. Using this word in casual conversation to mean suicide can sound overly dramatic or literary, so stick to 自殺 for everyday speech.