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.
その町は戦争で廃墟と化した。
The town was reduced to ruins by the war.
Desolation or devastation, often of land or environment. Implies a state of neglect and ruin.
その地域は長年の放置で荒廃している。
The area has fallen into ruin after years of neglect.
Total destruction or annihilation, often used for cities or organizations.
地震で町が壊滅した。
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.
彼は事業に失敗して破産した。
He went bankrupt after his business failed.
To ruin oneself, often through vice or poor decisions. Implies self-destruction.
ギャンブルで身を滅ぼした。
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.
彼の一族は没落した。
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.
彼の人生は転落の一途をたどった。
His life continued its downward spiral into ruin.
Describing something like a plan, mood, or event being ruined or spoiled.
Ruined, spoiled, wasted. Very common for plans, fun, or efforts being ruined.
雨でピクニックが台無しになった。
The picnic was ruined by the rain.
Ruined, messed up. More colloquial and emphatic than 台無し.
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.
彼の一言で雰囲気がぶち壊しになった。
The mood was ruined by his one remark.