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.
The government aims to eradicate malaria.
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.
Specifically for exterminating pests, vermin, or harmful animals. Not used for abstract concepts.
Literally 'sweep away', used for clearing out undesirable elements, often in a decisive action. Can be used for physical or abstract things.
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.
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.
We are working to eradicate poverty.
Let's eradicate discrimination.
Also used for abstract issues, especially in formal campaigns or official statements.
Emphasizes complete elimination from the root, used for deeply ingrained social problems.
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.
They annihilated the enemy forces.
To wipe out completely, often used for groups of living things. Can be used in games or casual contexts.
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.
The goal is to eradicate malaria by 2030.
Formal statement; 撲滅 is appropriate.
天然痘は世界から根絶された。
Smallpox has been eradicated from the world.
It is difficult to eradicate this weed.
We hired a professional to eradicate the rats.
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.
International cooperation is necessary to eradicate terrorism.
The virus has the potential to eradicate humanity.