Chinese word

灭亡

Pronunciation

Pinyinmiè wáng

Meaning

  • verbperish

Example

如果不改变，文明会灭亡。rú guǒ bù gǎi biàn wén míng huì miè wáng

If nothing changes, civilization will perish.

Illustration for 灭亡 (perish)

More examples

许多濒危物种正面临灭亡。xǔ duō bīn wēi wù zhǒng zhèng miàn lín miè wáng

Many endangered species are at risk of perishing.

Core concept

A civilization, species, or other large system ends completely and no longer exists.

Common phrases

  • 文明灭亡wén míng miè wáng

    a civilization perishes

  • 国家灭亡guó jiā miè wáng

    a country perishes

  • 民族灭亡mín zú miè wáng

    an ethnic group perishes

Similar words

毁灭huǐ miè: To be completely destroyed by powerful damage or attack.
灭绝miè jué: To die out completely so that a species or culture never returns.
消亡xiāo wáng: To weaken over time and finally disappear, especially as a tradition or influence.

Definition in Chinese

表示大规模的体系或群体（如王朝、文明、物种）不再延续，彻底终结并消失。biǎo shì dà guī mó de tǐ xì huò qún tǐ rú wáng cháo wén míng wù zhǒng bú zài yán xù chè dǐ zhōng jié bìng xiāo shī

Word origin

灭 (miè, "extinguish") + 亡 (wáng, "perish") combine the images of being extinguished and no longer existing.

Usage tips

  • This verb often appears in history, science, and serious public discussion, while ordinary daily events usually call for less sweeping wording.

Other meanings

  • die outverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word