Translation guide
To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution. In Japanese, the most common and versatile verb is 廃止する, used for laws, rules, and systems. For more forceful or complete elimination, especially of social structures or customs, 撤廃する is used. 廃する is a formal, written term often seen in legal or historical contexts.
The most common meaning: to officially stop a rule, system, or established practice.
The standard, neutral term for abolishing laws, regulations, systems, or practices. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
That law is scheduled to be abolished next year.
The government abolished the old system.
Implies a more thorough or forceful removal, often used for social structures, customs, or deeply rooted systems. Common in news and formal contexts.
Calls for the abolition of the death penalty are growing.
That practice was completely abolished.
A formal, literary term often used in legal or historical documents. Less common in everyday speech.
Abolish the old system and build a new structure.
Focuses on doing away with long-standing social norms or cultural practices.
To formally eliminate a job, role, or institution.
廃止する is the general term for abolishing laws, systems, or practices. 撤廃する implies a more thorough elimination, often used for social systems like slavery or the death penalty. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 撤廃する carries a stronger nuance of complete removal.
The rule was abolished.
The system was abolished (completely removed).
Do not use 無くす (なくす) for formal abolition; it means 'to get rid of' in a general sense and lacks the official, systematic nuance. For example, 'abolish a law' should be 法律を廃止する, not 法律を無くす.
The festival was abolished for safety reasons.
They abolished the monarchy and became a republic.