破滅
hametsu
The English word "doom" can be translated into Japanese as 破滅 (hametsu).
破滅 is used to describe a state of total ruin, downfall or the complete destruction of a person, organization or system.
Meaning: undesirable fate (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 破滅 is composed of the characters for 'break/destroy' (破) and 'destruction/ruin' (滅).
Which one should you use?
While 破滅 refers to the state of being ruined or doomed, it is more focused on physical or social destruction than the metaphysical 'fate' implied in some English contexts.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
hametsu
Did you know?
- The character 滅 in 破滅 is used in the title of the series 鬼滅の刃 'Demon Slayer', where it refers to the total eradication or extermination of demons.
- Japanese has a specialized word for 'doomed' romantic partnerships, 破局, which focuses on the breakup rather than the general state of ruin implied by 破滅.
- The second character in 破滅, 滅, is the same one used in the word for 'extinction' (絶滅). This gives the Japanese concept of 'doom' a much stronger connotation of total vanishing or ceasing to exist.
Examples in context
- 村は終末感に包まれていた。The village was filled with a sense of impending doom.
- 彼のビジネスは失敗する運命だ。His business is doomed to fail.
- あの出来事以来、絶望感が社会を覆っている。Ever since that event, a sense of despair has engulfed our society.
- その決断は破滅を招く。Sono ketsudan wa hametsu o maneku.That decision will lead to ruin.
- 嘘をつき続けると破滅するよ。Uso o tsukitsuzukeru to hametsu suru yo.If you keep lying, you will meet your doom.
- 彼は破滅への道を突き進んでいる。Kare wa hametsu e no michi o tsukisusunde iru.He is charging down the path to destruction.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a risky business deal.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの投資は破滅につながるよ。Kono toushi wa hametsu ni tsunagaru yo.This investment will lead to ruin.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、挑戦しないと何も始まらないわ。Demo, chousen shinai to nani mo hajimaranai wa.But, if I don't take a challenge, nothing will start.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、あまり無茶はしないで。Misaki, amari mucha wa shinai de.Misaki, please don't be too reckless.
- 美咲 Misakiわかっているわ、大翔。Wakatte iru wa, Hiroto.I know, Hiroto.
