noun
Buddhist term for the infernal realms. Used in religious contexts; the loanword from Sanskrit naraka.
from Sanskrit naraka
仏教では、悪行を積むと奈落に落ちると説かれる。
In Buddhism, it is taught that accumulating evil deeds leads to falling into Naraka.
noun
very bottom; the end; worst possible circumstances
Figurative use derived from the Buddhist hell: a situation of utter despair, rock bottom, or the worst possible outcome. Often used in expressions like 奈落の底.
失業して、彼は奈落の底に突き落とされた気分だった。
After losing his job, he felt as if he had been thrown into the abyss.
その事故で彼の人生は奈落へと転がり
noun
trap room; below-stage basement
Only when written 奈落
Theatrical term for the space beneath the stage, used for trapdoor effects and storage. Restricted to the 奈落 spelling.
舞台の奈落には大道具が収められている。
Stage props are stored in the trap room beneath the stage.
The accident sent his life tumbling into the depths.
地獄 is the more common, general term for hell in both religious and figurative contexts. 奈落 is specifically the Buddhist Naraka or a theatrical term, and carries a heavier, more literary tone.
どん底 is a more colloquial expression for rock bottom, often used for financial or emotional lows. 奈落 is more dramatic and literary.
Borrowed from Sanskrit naraka via Buddhist texts. The kanji 奈落 are ateji used phonetically. The theatrical sense derives from the idea of a dark, hidden space beneath the stage, likened to the underworld.