Meaning
to assert; to claim; to insist; to argue; to advocate
Nuance & Usage
主張する means to strongly state or insist on one's opinion, claim, or position. 意見を主張する (to assert an opinion), 権利を主張する (to assert one's rights), 無実を主張する (to claim innocence) are typical uses. The noun 主張 (shuchou) refers to a position or assertion: 彼の主張には根拠がない (his claim has no basis). In business and academic contexts, 自分の主張を述べる (to state one's argument) is important. Unlike in some Western cultures, openly 主張する can be seen as confrontational in traditional Japanese settings, making it a culturally loaded word.
Common Mistakes
Learners confuse 主張する with 言う (iu — to say), 述べる (noberu — to state, more neutral), and 訴える (uttaeru — to appeal/sue/plead). 主張する implies persistence and conviction — you're not just saying something, you're insisting on it. 一方的に主張する (to insist one-sidedly) has a negative nuance. Don't confuse 主張 (assertion) with 主題 (shudai — theme/subject). 主張をまとめる (to summarize one's argument) is useful in academic writing contexts.
Example Sentences
彼は自分の無実を最後まで主張し続けた。
かれはじぶんのむじつをさいごまでしゅちょうしつづけた。
He continued to assert his innocence until the end.
会議では、自分の意見をはっきり主張することが大切だ。
かいぎでは、じぶんのいけんをはっきりしゅちょうすることがたいせつだ。
In meetings, it's important to clearly assert your opinions.
この論文では、文化的背景が言語習得に影響するという主張を展開する。
このろんぶんでは、ぶんかてきはいけいがげんごしゅうとくにえいきょうするというしゅちょうをてんかいする。
In this paper, I will develop the argument that cultural background influences language acquisition.
Quick Quiz
N24 questionsTest your knowledge of 主張する with 4 different question types.
Want to practice this word?
Add to Fujiyama & Study with AI
Generate more example sentences, listen to native pronunciation, and review with SRS — all personalized to your JLPT level.