Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common way to say "go bankrupt" is 倒産する (tousan suru), which refers to a company going under. For personal bankruptcy, 破産する (hasan suru) is standard. There are also more specific legal and financial terms, as well as casual expressions.
To say that a business or company goes bankrupt, fails financially, or ceases operations due to insolvency.
The most common and general term for a company going bankrupt. It covers various types of business failure.
その会社は倒産した。
That company went bankrupt.
Many companies are going bankrupt due to the recession.
Often used for legal bankruptcy, both for companies and individuals. It implies a court declaration of insolvency.
その会社は破産手続きを開始した。
The company started bankruptcy proceedings.
A casual, everyday verb meaning 'to go under' or 'to collapse' (business). Often used in conversation.
あの店、潰れちゃったんだって。
I heard that shop went out of business.
A formal term meaning 'management failure' or 'corporate collapse'. Used in news and business contexts.
大手企業が経営破綻した。
A major corporation went bankrupt.
To say that an individual goes bankrupt, cannot pay debts, and seeks legal protection.
The standard term for personal bankruptcy. It is a legal process.
彼は借金が返せなくて破産した。
He went bankrupt because he couldn't repay his debts.
Specifically refers to an individual filing for bankruptcy. Very common in legal and everyday contexts.
自己破産を考えています。
I'm considering filing for personal bankruptcy.
To express that someone has lost all their money or is financially ruined, often casually.
Can be used figuratively for individuals, though it often carries a legal nuance.
ギャンブルで破産した。
He went bankrupt from gambling.
Literally 'to become penniless'. A colloquial way to say someone has lost all their money.
株で大損して文無しになった。
He lost a fortune in stocks and went broke.
A very casual, emphatic expression meaning 'to be completely broke' or 'cleaned out'.
旅行でお金を使いすぎて、すっからかんになっちゃった。
I spent too much on the trip and ended up completely broke.
倒産 (tousan) is a general term for business failure and is widely used in news. 破産 (hasan) specifically refers to legal bankruptcy and can apply to both companies and individuals. In casual speech, 潰れる (tsubureru) is often used for businesses closing down.
Avoid directly translating 'go bankrupt' as 破産に行く or similar. Use the verbs 倒産する, 破産する, or 潰れる as appropriate.