Translation guide
To cease to exist as a species, group, or phenomenon. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the verb 絶滅する (zetsumetsu suru), but other expressions exist for different nuances like dying out, disappearing, or being wiped out.
恐竜は絶滅した。
Dinosaurs became extinct.
この習慣は廃れている。
This custom is dying out.
To say that a species, tribe, or other biological group has become extinct.
The standard, neutral term for extinction of a species or group. Used in scientific and everyday contexts.
恐竜は約6600万年前に絶滅した。
Dinosaurs became extinct about 66 million years ago.
このままでは、その鳥は絶滅するだろう。
At this rate, that bird will become extinct.
Literally 'die out'. Emphasizes the process of dying off until none remain. Slightly more literary or dramatic than 絶滅する.
その民族は疫病で死に絶えた。
That tribe died out due to an epidemic.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to perish' or 'to be ruined'. Can be used for species, civilizations, or cultures. More literary than 絶滅する.
その文明は滅びた。
That civilization perished.
To say that a practice, language, or cultural element is no longer used or practiced.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to go out of use', 'to become obsolete'. Commonly used for customs, fashions, or technologies.
その習慣は今ではすっかり廃れてしまった。
That custom has completely died out now.
この方言は廃れつつある。
This dialect is dying out.
Means 'to disappear' or 'to become extinct'. Can be used for languages, customs, or even abstract things. More formal than 廃れる.
多くの少数言語が消滅の危機にある。
Many minority languages are in danger of becoming extinct.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to die out' or 'to cease'. Often used for family lines, traditions, or sounds.
To say that a volcano is no longer active, or a fire has gone out.
Noun meaning 'extinct volcano'. Used in geology. Note: this is a noun, not a verb phrase.
富士山は死火山ではない。
Mt. Fuji is not an extinct volcano.
Literally 'the fire goes out'. Used for fires, not species.
キャンプファイヤーの火が消えた。
The campfire went out.
絶滅する is used for biological extinction (species, etc.), while 廃れる is used for customs, fashions, or practices that fall out of use. Using 絶滅する for a custom sounds overly dramatic.
その習慣は絶滅した。
That custom became extinct. (unnatural)
その習慣は廃れた。
That custom died out. (natural)
絶滅する implies permanent extinction. For temporary disappearance, use いなくなる (for animals) or 見られなくなる (for phenomena).
多くの種が絶滅の危機に瀕している。
Many species are at risk of becoming extinct.
その言語は19世紀に消滅した。
The language became extinct in the 19th century.
That family line has died out.