Japanese word

没落

Pronunciation

Romajibotsuraku

Meaning

  • noundecline

Example

その会社は競争に負けて没落しました。so no gai sha wa kyō sō ni ma ke te botsu raku shi ma shi ta

The company fell into decline after losing the competition.

Illustration for 没落 (decline)

More examples

戦争の後、その王朝は没落しました。sen sō no ato so no ō chō wa botsu raku shi ma shi ta

The dynasty fell into decline after the war.

Core concept

Presents decline as a fall away from an established position, often after prosperity, power, or status has been lost.

Common phrases

  • 没落の一途をたどるbotsu raku no it to o ta do ru

    follow a steady decline

  • 家の没落ie no botsu raku

    a family's decline

  • 没落の危機botsu raku no ki ki

    the threat of decline

  • 没落の原因botsu raku no gen in

    the cause of decline

Similar words

衰退suitai: A gradual loss of strength, activity, or prosperity.
凋落chōraku: A fall from former prosperity, influence, or social standing.
零落reiraku: A decline into poverty or a low social position.

Definition in Japanese

栄えていた人や組織が衰え、勢力や地位を失うこと。saka e te i ta hito ya so shiki ga otoro e sei ryoku ya chi i o ushina u ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 没落 (botsuraku) is formed from 没 (botsu, "sink" or "vanish") and 落 (raku, "fall"), linking disappearance with a fall in status.

Usage tips

  • The word commonly appears in accounts of dynasties, companies, and social groups, where a former success is followed by a loss of strength or standing.

Other meanings

  • downfallnoun
  • ruinnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 没落者botsurakushafallen personnoun

Word lists with this word