Translation guide
The act of completely removing or destroying something undesirable, such as a disease, pest, or problem. Japanese expressions vary based on what is being eradicated and the method used.
Expressing the complete elimination of something harmful or unwanted.
The most common and versatile term for eradication, used for diseases, pests, social evils, etc. Often used in formal or official contexts.
政府はマラリアの撲滅を目指している。
The government aims to eradicate malaria.
この地域では害虫の撲滅に成功した。
We succeeded in eradicating pests in this area.
Emphasizes complete removal from the root. Often used for diseases, weeds, or deeply rooted problems. Slightly more emphatic than 撲滅.
天然痘は世界から根絶された。
Smallpox has been eradicated from the world.
この雑草を根絶するのは難しい。
It is difficult to eradicate this weed.
Specifically for exterminating pests, vermin, or harmful animals. Not used for abstract concepts.
ネズミの駆除を業者に頼んだ。
We hired a professional to eradicate the rats.
Literally 'sweep away', used for clearing out undesirable elements, often in a decisive action. Can be used for physical or abstract things.
汚職を一掃する必要がある。
We need to eradicate corruption.
Means extinction, often used for species. Can be used in the context of eradicating a species, but carries a nuance of complete annihilation.
その病気は絶滅したと考えられている。
The disease is thought to have been eradicated.
Expressing the elimination of social issues or abstract concepts.
The most natural and common way to say 'get rid of' or 'eliminate' in everyday speech. Works for many abstract problems.
貧困をなくすために活動している。
We are working to eradicate poverty.
差別をなくそう。
Let's eradicate discrimination.
Also used for abstract issues, especially in formal campaigns or official statements.
テロの撲滅に向けて国際協力が必要だ。
International cooperation is necessary to eradicate terrorism.
Emphasizes complete elimination from the root, used for deeply ingrained social problems.
汚職を根絶するのは容易ではない。
It is not easy to eradicate corruption.
Expressing total destruction, often in a violent or thorough manner.
Military term for annihilation or wiping out an enemy force. Very strong and often used in historical or fictional contexts.
敵軍を殲滅した。
They annihilated the enemy forces.
To wipe out completely, often used for groups of living things. Can be used in games or casual contexts.
そのウイルスは人類を全滅させる可能性がある。
The virus has the potential to eradicate humanity.
撲滅 (bokumetsu) is the general term for eradication, often used in official campaigns. 根絶 (konzetsu) emphasizes pulling out by the roots and is used for things that are deeply established. For diseases, both are common, but 根絶 implies complete global eradication (like smallpox).
English 'eradicate' can often be translated directly, but in casual speech, simpler verbs like なくす (nakusu) or やめる (yameru) are more natural. Overusing 撲滅 in everyday conversation can sound overly dramatic or formal.
2030年までにマラリアを撲滅するのが目標です。
The goal is to eradicate malaria by 2030.
Formal statement; 撲滅 is appropriate.