Translation guide
The paired concepts of flourishing and falling, often used to describe the rise and fall of nations, businesses, or life itself. Japanese expresses this through set phrases and classical terms.
To refer to the cyclical nature of success and failure, especially of nations, civilizations, or fortunes.
The most common and concise term for 'prosperity and decline' or 'rise and fall'. Used in historical, business, and philosophical contexts.
To describe the alternating periods of success and difficulty in life, career, or business.
盛衰 (seisui) is used for grand, historical, or structural rise and fall (nations, institutions). 浮き沈み (ukishizumi) is for personal, emotional, or business ups and downs. Using 盛衰 for personal matters can sound overly dramatic.
Directly translating 'prosperity and decline' as 繁栄と衰退 (han'ei to suitai) is grammatically correct but sounds like a dictionary definition, not natural Japanese. Use the set phrases above instead.
国家の盛衰は歴史の必然だ。
The rise and fall of nations is inevitable in history.
企業の盛衰は経営者の手腕にかかっている。
The prosperity and decline of a company depends on the skill of its management.
A four-character idiom meaning 'flourishing and withering, prosperity and decline'. Emphasizes the natural cycle of life and fortune. Often used in literary or reflective contexts.
栄枯盛衰は世の習いだ。
Prosperity and decline are the way of the world.
Specifically refers to the rise and fall of nations or states. More formal and historical than 盛衰.
ローマ帝国の興亡を学ぶ。
Study the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
Means 'waxing and waning' or 'rise and decline'. Used for abstract forces, power, or influence. Less common in everyday speech.
勢力の消長が激しい時代だった。
It was an era of drastic shifts in power.
Literally 'floating and sinking', this is the most natural way to say 'ups and downs' in personal or business life. Implies emotional or financial fluctuations.
人生には浮き沈みがつきものだ。
Life has its ups and downs.
あの会社は浮き沈みが激しい。
That company has extreme ups and downs.
Can also be used for personal fortunes, though it sounds more dramatic or literary.
彼の人生はまさに栄枯盛衰だった。
His life was truly a story of prosperity and decline.