降伏

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 降伏 (こうふく) denotes surrender and forms the verb to capitulate.
• Basic usage: 王が降伏した reports the opponent's surrender; 降伏を選ぶ treats surrender as a deliberate choice.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Surrender rather than simple defeat
  • 降伏 means acknowledging that resistance will cease and submitting to the opposing side. It is more specific than merely losing a battle.