Japanese word

破滅

Pronunciation

Romajihametsu

Meaning

  • nounruin

Example

その会社は破滅に向かっています。so no gai sha wa ha metsu ni mu ka tte i ma su

That company is heading for ruin.

Illustration for 破滅 (ruin)

More examples

無理な投資は家計を破滅に追い込みます。mu ri na tō shi wa ka kei o ha metsu ni o i ko mi ma su

Reckless investment can drive a household into ruin.

Core concept

Describes a state in which something loses its ability to continue or recover and is headed for complete ruin.

Common phrases

  • 破滅に向かうha metsu ni mu ka u

    head toward ruin

  • 破滅を招くha metsu o mane ku

    bring about ruin

  • 破滅に陥るha metsu ni ochii ru

    fall into ruin

Similar words

崩壊hōkai: The breakdown of an established system, organization, or structure so that it loses its function.
滅亡metsubō: The end of a nation, society, or group through complete destruction or disappearance.
破綻hatan: The failure of a plan, system, or financial arrangement to function or hold together.
没落botsuraku: A decline from wealth, status, or power to a much lower position.

Definition in Japanese

物事が完全に壊れ、存続や再起が望めない状態になること。mono goto ga kan zen ni kowa re son zoku ya sai ki ga nozo me na i jō tai ni na ru ko to

Word origin

破 (ha, "break") + 滅 (metsu, "perish") form 破滅 (hametsu), a Sino-Japanese compound meaning a state of complete ruin.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 破滅 (hametsu) often describes an irreversible outcome, so a company may be heading for ruin before it has actually collapsed.

Other meanings

  • destructionnoun
  • downfallnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 破滅的hametsutekidestructivena-adjective

Word lists with this word