How to say "ruins" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

廃墟はいきょCommon
nounCovers ruins of buildings, towns and similar structures — decaying, abandoned places. This is the word for a ruined factory, house, or city left in disrepair, often with an evocative, atmospheric nuance.
その塔とうは廃墟はいきょの中なかに立たっていた。↗
The tower stood amid the ruins.
遺跡いせきJLPT N1approx.Common
nounRefers to archeological remains and ruins — the traces of past habitation unearthed or preserved, such as ancient settlement sites. Choose this when the emphasis is on historical or archeological remains rather than decayed buildings.
新あたらしい遺跡いせきで未み発掘はっくつはいくつだったのですか。↗
How many new sites were uncovered?
旧跡きゅうせきCommon
nounMeans a historic spot or place of historical interest rather than ruins as such. It suits famous sites connected with history that visitors go to see, and is only a marginal match for the sense of 'ruins' as crumbling remains.
大勢おおぜいの人ひとがその旧跡きゅうせきを訪おとずれる。↗
A large number of people visit the historic site.
跡あとJLPT N3approx.Common
nounMeans the site or remains left where something once existed — the trace of a former building, battle, or event. For 'ruins' it works when pointing to the spot where something stood, though it is a broad, general word.
ここは城しろの跡あとです。↗
This is the site of a castle.

Use 廃墟 for crumbling buildings or towns, 遺跡 for archeological remains, 旧跡 for historic sites, and 跡 for the site where something once stood.

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

Japanese equivalents

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