Translation guide
The English verb 'perish' means to die, be destroyed, or cease to exist, often in a sudden, violent, or complete way. It can also refer to things like food spoiling or materials decaying. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
To express that a person or animal dies, especially in a tragic, violent, or untimely manner.
The most common and direct word for 'to die'. Neutral in register but can be blunt. Used for people and animals.
多くの人がその災害で死んだ。
Many people perished in the disaster.
A polite, euphemistic way to say 'die', often used when speaking respectfully about someone's death. Common in news and formal contexts.
He passed away last year.
Literally 'to drop one's life', meaning to lose one's life, often in an accident or disaster. Slightly formal and emphasizes the loss.
Three people perished in the accident.
Means 'to die out' or 'become extinct', used for groups or species. More technical or literary.
The species is in danger of perishing.
To express that something is completely destroyed, ruined, or comes to an end, such as civilizations, hopes, or objects.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be ruined', 'to fall', 'to go to ruin'. Used for civilizations, empires, or abstract things like hopes. Often carries a dramatic or literary tone.
The empire perished.
Means 'to disappear', 'to die out', or 'to become extinct'. Used for things that vanish completely, like species, rights, or memories. More formal and abstract.
The tradition is in danger of perishing.
Means 'to collapse' or 'to crumble', used for systems, buildings, or organizations. Implies a structural failure.
The building perished in the earthquake.
Means 'to be annihilated' or 'completely destroyed'. Stronger than 滅びる, often used in military or catastrophic contexts.
The enemy army perished.
To express that food goes bad, rots, or becomes inedible, or that materials deteriorate over time.
The standard word for food rotting or spoiling. Also used metaphorically for moral decay.
The milk has perished.
Means 'to go bad' or 'to spoil', often for food that is still edible but losing freshness. Softer than 腐る.
Means 'to deteriorate' or 'to degrade', used for materials, quality, or performance. Not typically for food.
Plastic perishes under UV light.
Used to express that one hopes something will not happen or that an idea is unwelcome. Often said in rejection of a suggestion.
An exclamation meaning 'absolutely not', 'unthinkable', or 'outrageous'. Can be used to reject a suggestion strongly but politely.
"Surely he's not the culprit?" "Perish the thought!"
Literally 'I don't even want to think about such a thing'. A more literal way to express 'perish the thought'.
死ぬ is the basic word for 'die' and can be used in casual or neutral contexts, but it may sound blunt or insensitive when referring to someone's death directly. 亡くなる is a polite euphemism, preferred in formal speech, news, and when showing respect for the deceased.
My grandfather passed away.
The cat died yesterday.
English 'perish' often sounds formal, literary, or dramatic. In everyday Japanese, using 死ぬ or 腐る is more natural than trying to find a direct equivalent. Reserve words like 滅びる or 消滅する for appropriate contexts.
暑さで食べ物が傷みやすい。
Food perishes easily in the heat.
Him failing? Perish the thought.