How to say "perish" in Japanese

• 滅びるほろびるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'perish' in the sense of going to ruin or being destroyed: a nation, dynasty, house, or other whole ceases to exist. Think of a kingdom falling in war or a civilization collapsing.
  それは御子みこを信しんじるものが、一人ひとりとして滅ほろびることなく、永遠えいえんの命いのちを持もつためである。↗

  That whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
• 果てるはてるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'perish' as dying itself: a person or living thing's life comes to an end, as when someone collapses and dies. It points to an individual's death, not the downfall of a nation or institution.

Use 「滅びる」 for a whole — a nation, dynasty, or civilization — being destroyed or going under; use 「果てる」 for dying itself, a person or living thing perishing as its life comes to an end.

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

• 滅びるほろびるto go to ruin
• 滅するめっするto be destroyed
• お隠れになるおかくれになるto die
• 滅ぶほろぶto go to ruin
• 果てるはてるto die
• 悪くなるわるくなるto spoil (of food)