How to say "bankruptcy" in Japanese

• 破産はさんJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe legal sense: being declared bankrupt or insolvent, with debts one cannot pay. Choose this for bankruptcy as a formal legal state or court proceeding.
  かけごとのために彼かれは破産はさんした。↗

  Gambling brought about his ruin.
• 破綻はたんCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers bankruptcy in the sense of a business or personal finances collapsing and going under, but it also means broader failure or breakdown, such as plans or negotiations falling apart.
  彼かれらの結婚けっこん生活せいかつは去年きょねん破はたんした。↗

  Their marriage broke up last year.
• 没落ぼつらくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbMeans downfall or ruin — the decline of a family, house, or once-prosperous person. It is seldom the word you want for financial bankruptcy; think 'downfall' rather than 'bankruptcy'.
  商売しょうばいでそんな失敗しっぱいをしたらどんな会社かいしゃでも没落ぼつらくする。↗

  Such a business failure would sink any company.

Use 破産 for bankruptcy as a legal state or proceeding, 破綻 for a business or finances collapsing or going under, and 没落 only for the downfall or ruin of a family or once-prosperous person.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 破産はさんbankruptcy
• 破綻はたんfailure
• 没落ぼつらくruin
• 経済破綻けいざいはたんeconomic collapse
• 倒産とうさん(corporate) bankruptcy