Translation guide
The English word 'blight' can refer to a plant disease, something that spoils or damages, or a deteriorated urban area. This guide covers how to express these meanings naturally in Japanese.
A disease that damages plants, often causing discoloration or death.
General term for blight, especially fungal diseases that cause withering.
This tree is affected by blight.
Often used for late blight (e.g., potato blight) or epidemic plant diseases.
Potato blight is spreading.
Specifically leaf blight, when leaves wither and die.
Please tell me how to prevent tomato leaf blight.
A thing or factor that causes harm, ruin, or spoils enjoyment.
Broad term for harm or damage; can be used metaphorically.
Corruption is a blight on society.
Idiomatic expression for a persistent source of trouble or worry.
Traffic congestion is a blight on this city.
Literally 'stain' or 'blot'; used for a blemish on reputation or record.
A deteriorated, neglected area in a city, often with abandoned buildings.
Desolation or ruin; used for blighted urban areas.
The district suffers from years of blight.
Process of becoming a slum; often used for urban blight.
Policies to prevent urban blight are needed.
Decline or decay; can refer to economic or physical deterioration of an area.
Directly translating 'blight' as 胴枯れ病 in non-plant contexts will sound unnatural. Use the appropriate metaphorical term based on the intended meaning.
その事件は彼の経歴の汚点となった。
The incident became a blight on his career.
工場閉鎖後、町は衰退した。
After the factory closed, the town fell into blight.