How to say "downfall" in Japanese

• 滅亡めつぼうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbCovers downfall as outright destruction: a nation, dynasty, or organization perishing or ceasing to exist. The emphasis is on complete ruin rather than an individual's loss of rank.
  仮かりに核戦争かくせんそうが起おこったとすれば、人類じんるいは滅亡めつぼうするだろう。↗

  If a nuclear war were to break out, mankind would perish.
• 失脚しっきゃくCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe downfall of an individual who loses a powerful position — a leader, minister, or ruler being ousted or toppled. It refers to the person's fall from power, not an organization's collapse.
  彼かれは放漫ほうまんだったので失脚しっきゃくした。↗

  He lost his job through his irresponsibility.
• 瓦解がかいCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbDescribes a group, alliance, or organization falling apart and disintegrating, its downfall pictured as a structure crumbling to pieces. Choose it when the emphasis is on the whole body breaking up.
• 没落ぼつらくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbDownfall as a decline from former prosperity: a family, house, or class losing its wealth, standing, or influence. It suggests gradual ruin after a period of success rather than a sudden collapse.
  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.
• 転落てんらくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA fall from a higher to a lower position or standing, or a slide into degradation. It pictures downfall as a downward drop rather than a total collapse.
  阪神はんしん三みっ日か天下てんか。あっと言いう間まに首位しゅいから転落てんらくしちゃったよ。↗

  Hanshin's moment of glory didn't last. They fell out of first place in a hurry.

Use 滅亡 for the destruction of a state or organization, 失脚 for a powerful person's fall from office, 瓦解 for a group's disintegration, 没落 for a family's decline from prosperity, and 転落 for a descent in status.

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

• 滅亡めつぼうdownfall
• 失脚しっきゃくlosing one's position
• 瓦解がかいcollapse
• 没落ぼつらくruin
• 零落れいらくfalling into straitened circumstances
• 衰亡すいぼうdecline and fall
• 衰滅すいめつdecline
• 不良化ふりょうかdegradation
• 転落てんらくfall (in position, standing, etc.)