Translation guide
The legal or financial state of being unable to pay debts. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with 破産 (hasan), but related terms like 倒産 (tousan) and 破綻 (hatan) are used in specific contexts. This guide covers how to talk about personal, corporate, and metaphorical bankruptcy.
To refer to the legal process or state of being declared bankrupt, for individuals or companies.
The standard legal term for bankruptcy. Used for both individuals and corporations. Often used in phrases like 破産する (to go bankrupt) or 破産宣告 (declaration of bankruptcy).
彼は借金が返せず、破産した。
He couldn't repay his debts and went bankrupt.
その会社は破産手続きを開始した。
The company started bankruptcy proceedings.
Specifically refers to corporate bankruptcy or business failure. More common in news and business contexts than 破産 when talking about companies going under.
中小企業の倒産が増えている。
Bankruptcies of small and medium-sized enterprises are increasing.
Means 'collapse' or 'failure', often used for financial bankruptcy but also for breakdown of systems, negotiations, or personal life. Slightly more literary or metaphorical than 破産.
銀行が破綻した。
The bank went bankrupt.
計画は資金不足で破綻した。
The plan collapsed due to lack of funds.
To talk about an individual declaring bankruptcy, often due to overwhelming debt.
The specific legal term for personal bankruptcy. Often used in the phrase 自己破産する (to file for personal bankruptcy).
借金が膨らんで、自己破産を考えている。
My debts have piled up, and I'm considering personal bankruptcy.
Bankruptcy proceedings. Can be used for both individuals and companies, but often appears in personal contexts when discussing the legal process.
破産手続きには時間と費用がかかる。
Bankruptcy proceedings take time and money.
To describe a company going out of business due to financial insolvency.
The most common term for corporate bankruptcy. Often used in news headlines and business reports.
大手企業の倒産が相次いでいる。
Major corporate bankruptcies are occurring one after another.
A colloquial way to say a company goes bankrupt or goes under. More casual than 倒産.
あの会社、つぶれたらしいよ。
I heard that company went under.
Management failure leading to bankruptcy. Emphasizes the failure of management rather than just the financial state.
経営破綻の原因は過剰投資だった。
The cause of the bankruptcy was excessive investment.
To express a complete lack or failure in a non-financial sense, such as 'moral bankruptcy' or 'intellectual bankruptcy'.
The pattern [noun]の破産 can be used metaphorically, similar to English. Common examples: 道徳的破産 (moral bankruptcy), 知的破産 (intellectual bankruptcy).
彼の行動は道徳的破産だ。
His actions amount to moral bankruptcy.
Can be used metaphorically for the collapse of plans, relationships, or systems. Not strictly financial.
交渉は破綻した。
The negotiations broke down (went bankrupt).
To express the action of becoming bankrupt.
The standard verb phrase for 'to go bankrupt'. Can be used for individuals or companies.
不況で多くの店が破産した。
Many stores went bankrupt due to the recession.
Specifically for companies going bankrupt.
その会社は先月倒産した。
That company went bankrupt last month.
Colloquial verb meaning 'to go under' or 'to go bankrupt', used for businesses.
破産 (hasan) is the general legal term for bankruptcy, applicable to both individuals and companies. 倒産 (tousan) specifically refers to corporate bankruptcy and is common in business news. 破綻 (hatan) implies a broader collapse or failure, often used metaphorically for plans, systems, or financial institutions.
In casual conversation, saying 破産した (hasan shita) about a person can sound overly dramatic or legalistic. For personal financial trouble, people often use softer expressions like 借金で首が回らない (shakkin de kubi ga mawaranai, 'drowning in debt') unless they actually filed for legal bankruptcy.
彼は去年、破産を申請した。
He filed for bankruptcy last year.
その会社は倒産寸前だ。
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
道徳的破産は経済的破産より悪い。
Moral bankruptcy is worse than financial bankruptcy.
景気が悪くて、小さな店がどんどんつぶれている。
With the bad economy, small shops are going bankrupt one after another.