Translation guide
The state or process of being destroyed, devastated, or brought to ruin. This guide covers common Japanese expressions for physical destruction, financial ruin, and personal devastation.
Describing buildings, cities, or landscapes that are destroyed or laid waste.
Refers to ruins or abandoned remains of buildings or structures. Often used for ghost towns or derelict sites.
The town was reduced to ruins by the war.
Desolation or devastation, often of land or environment. Implies a state of neglect and ruin.
The area has fallen into ruin after years of neglect.
Total destruction or annihilation, often used for cities or organizations.
The town was destroyed by the earthquake.
Describing a person or company that has lost all money or gone bankrupt.
Bankruptcy. The standard legal and common term for financial ruin.
He went bankrupt after his business failed.
To ruin oneself, often through vice or poor decisions. Implies self-destruction.
He ruined himself through gambling.
Corporate bankruptcy or going out of business. More formal than 破産.
Describing a person's life, reputation, or career being destroyed.
Downfall or ruin, often of a family, person, or social standing. Implies a fall from prosperity.
His family fell into ruin.
Ruin, destruction, or doom. Stronger and more dramatic than 没落, often implying complete collapse.
To be on a downward spiral; to continue falling into ruin. Literary and dramatic.
Describing something like a plan, mood, or event being ruined or spoiled.
破産 is the general term for bankruptcy, used for both individuals and companies. 倒産 specifically refers to corporate bankruptcy or business failure.
Avoid directly translating 'being ruined' as 破滅している in casual contexts; it can sound overly dramatic. Use 台無し for everyday situations.
その会社は倒産の危機にある。
The company is on the verge of bankruptcy.
He brought about his own ruin through his mistakes.
His life continued its downward spiral into ruin.
The mood was ruined by his one remark.