Japanese word

荒廃

Pronunciation

Romajikōhai

Meaning

  • noundecay

Example

長く使われず、建物の荒廃が進みました。naga ku tsuka wa re zu tate mono no kō hai ga susu mi ma shi ta

The building fell further into decay after being unused for a long time.

Illustration for 荒廃 (decay)

More examples

この地域では森林の荒廃を防ぐ取り組みが進められています。ko no chi iki de wa shin rin no kō hai o fuse gu to ri ku mi ga susu me ra re te i ma su

Efforts to prevent forest decay are being carried out in this area.

Core concept

Describes a place or condition that loses its order, usefulness, or vitality through neglect or severe damage.

Common phrases

  • 荒廃を防ぐkō hai o fuse gu

    prevent decay

  • 荒廃が進むkō hai ga susu mu

    decay worsens

  • 都市の荒廃to shi no kō hai

    urban decay

Similar words

衰退suitai: A gradual loss of strength, activity, size, or social importance.
荒れare: A disordered or damaged condition resulting from neglect or severe treatment.
退廃taihai: A worsening of morals, culture, or public life from a sound and orderly state.

Definition in Japanese

長く放置されたり大きな損害を受けたりして、場所や状態がひどく乱れ、機能や活力を失うこと。naga ku hō chi sa re ta ri ō ki na son gai o u ke ta ri shi te ba sho ya jō tai ga hi do ku mida re ki nō ya katsu ryoku o ushina u ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 荒廃 (kōhai) combines 荒 (kō, "wild" or "rough") and 廃 (hai, "abandoned" or "discarded"), giving the sense of a ruined state.

Usage tips

  • 荒廃 (kōhai) often appears in formal writing about places or systems that lose their former condition through neglect, damage, or the passage of time.

Other meanings

  • ruinnoun
  • devastationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 荒廃するkōhaisurudecayverb

Word lists with this word