How to say "destruction" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 破壊はかいnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe default choice for destruction in the physical sense — smashing, breaking down, or damaging objects, buildings, or systems. It also covers disruption of normal functioning.
- 倒壊とうかいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbDestruction specifically as collapse or crumbling, when a building or structure falls down rather than being broken apart piece by piece. Best for collapsing edifices.
- 破滅はめつnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbDestruction in an abstract or figurative sense: ruin, downfall, or the destruction of a person, family, or cause. It is not used for physical damage to objects.
- 破棄はきnoun, suru verb, transitive verbOnly marginal for 'destruction': it means tearing up and discarding things such as documents. Use it when destruction means deliberately disposing of papers, not for damage generally.
- 撲滅ぼくめつnoun, suru verb, transitive verbSeldom the word you want for destruction; it really means eradication or extermination — wiping out pests, diseases, or evils — and suppression. Choose it only for that wiping-out sense.
破壊 is the general word for physical destruction; 倒壊 covers collapse of structures; 破滅 means ruin or downfall; 破棄 refers to discarding documents; 撲滅 means eradication or extermination.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 破壊はかいdestruction
- 倒壊とうかいdestruction
- 破滅はめつruin
- 破棄はきtearing up and discarding (e.g. documents)
- 撲滅ぼくめつeradication
- 荒廃こうはいruin
- 死滅しめつextinction
- 隠滅いんめつdestruction (esp. of evidence)
- 損壊そんかいdamage
- 取り壊しとりこわしdemolition
- 退治たいじextermination
- 滅亡めつぼうdownfall
- 撃滅げきめつdestruction
- 打ち壊しうちこわしdestruction
- ぶち壊しぶちこわしdestruction
- 滅失めっしつdestruction
- 毀棄ききdestruction
- 滅めつdestruction
- 滅却めっきゃくextinguishment
- つぶれcollapse
- 壊滅かいめつ(complete) destruction
- 殲滅せんめつannihilation
See also
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