Translation guide
Expresses the idea of a morally decayed, dishonest, or degenerate society or world. Japanese equivalents range from Buddhist terms for the degenerate age to modern expressions for a crooked society.
To refer to a world or era marked by widespread moral corruption, often with a sense of decline from a purer past.
Literally 'latter age' or 'degenerate age'. A Buddhist term for the period of moral decline. Commonly used to describe a corrupt world or society.
It's hard to uphold justice in this corrupt world.
Literally 'muddy world'. A Buddhist term for the impure, corrupt world of suffering and desire. More literary and religious in tone.
濁世を離れて山にこもった。
He left the corrupt world and secluded himself in the mountains.
Buddhist term for 'impure land', the corrupt world as opposed to the Pure Land. Very specialized and religious.
穢土を厭い、浄土を願う。
He loathes this corrupt world and yearns for the Pure Land.
To describe a society or world where dishonesty, bribery, and unethical behavior are common.
Literally 'rotten world/society'. A common, somewhat colloquial way to express disgust at widespread corruption.
腐った世の中にうんざりだ。
I'm sick of this corrupt world.
Literally 'defiled world'. Emphasizes impurity and moral stain. Can be used in both literal and figurative contexts.
彼は汚れた世界から足を洗った。
He washed his hands of the corrupt world.
Literally 'evil world'. A less common, more literary term for a world full of evil and corruption.
悪世に生まれ合わせた不幸を嘆く。
He laments the misfortune of being born into a corrupt world.
Specifically referring to corruption involving money, power, and illegal dealings.
Literally 'world of corruption/bribery'. Directly refers to a sphere where graft and dishonest dealings are rampant.
彼は汚職の世界にどっぷり浸かっている。
He's deeply immersed in the corrupt world of bribery.
Literally 'world where bribes are rampant'. A vivid description of a corrupt environment.
賄賂の蔓延る世界では正義は通じない。
In a corrupt world where bribery is rampant, justice doesn't work.
末世 is a formal, often Buddhist-influenced term for a degenerate age, suitable for serious or literary contexts. 腐った世の中 is a colloquial, emotional expression of disgust at current societal corruption. Use 末世 for historical or philosophical discussions, and 腐った世の中 for everyday complaints.
末世の兆候があちこちに見られる。
Signs of a corrupt world can be seen everywhere.
こんな腐った世の中じゃ、希望が持てない。
In a corrupt world like this, I can't have any hope.
Directly translating 'corrupt world' as 堕落した世界 (daraku shita sekai) is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural and overly literal. It's better to use established phrases like 末世 or 腐った世の中 depending on context.
堕落した世界
corrupt world (literal, unnatural)
堕落した世界
corrupt world (literal, unnatural)