Japanese word

絶える

Pronunciation

Romajitaeru

Meaning

  • verbdie out

Example

この村では昔の習慣が絶えました。ko no mura de wa mukashi no shū kan ga ta e ma shi ta

An old custom died out in this village.

Illustration for 絶える (die out)

More examples

後継者がいなければ、この技術は絶えます。kō kei sha ga i na ke re ba ko no gi jutsu wa ta e ma su

Without a successor, this technique will die out.

Core concept

Describes a custom, practice, or other continuing thing gradually disappearing until it no longer exists.

Common phrases

  • 火が絶えるhi ga ta e ru

    a fire goes out

Similar words

廃れるsutareru: A custom or practice becomes less common and is no longer regularly followed.
途絶えるtodaeru: A continuing activity, supply, or connection stops and does not continue.

Definition in Japanese

続いていた習慣や風習などが、次第になくなる。tsuzu i te i ta shū kan ya fū shū na do ga shi dai ni na ku na ru

Word origin

絶える (taeru) is a native Japanese verb whose older form is たゆ (tayu), meaning "to weaken or cease"; the modern form expresses something coming to an end.

Usage tips

  • English uses "die out" for customs and languages as well as living species, so 絶える (taeru) can describe a tradition disappearing without referring to death.

Opposites

Word lists with this word