Translation guide
The English verb 'perish' means to die, be destroyed, or cease to exist, often in a sudden, violent, or complete way. It can also refer to things like food spoiling or materials decaying. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for these meanings.
To express that a person or animal dies, especially in a tragic, violent, or untimely manner.
The most common and direct word for 'to die'. Neutral in register but can be blunt. Used for people and animals.
Many people perished in the disaster.
A polite, euphemistic way to say 'die', often used when speaking respectfully about someone's death. Common in news and formal contexts.
彼は昨年亡くなりました。
He passed away last year.
Literally 'to drop one's life', meaning to lose one's life, often in an accident or disaster. Slightly formal and emphasizes the loss.
その事故で3人が命を落とした。
Three people perished in the accident.
Means 'to die out' or 'become extinct', used for groups or species. More technical or literary.
その種は絶滅の危機に瀕している。
The species is in danger of perishing.
To express that something is completely destroyed, ruined, or comes to an end, such as civilizations, hopes, or objects.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be ruined', 'to fall', 'to go to ruin'. Used for civilizations, empires, or abstract things like hopes. Often carries a dramatic or literary tone.
その帝国は滅びた。
The empire perished.
Means 'to disappear', 'to die out', or 'to become extinct'. Used for things that vanish completely, like species, rights, or memories. More formal and abstract.
その伝統は消滅の危機にある。
The tradition is in danger of perishing.
Means 'to collapse' or 'to crumble', used for systems, buildings, or organizations. Implies a structural failure.
その建物は地震で崩壊した。
The building perished in the earthquake.
Means 'to be annihilated' or 'completely destroyed'. Stronger than 滅びる, often used in military or catastrophic contexts.
敵軍は壊滅した。
The enemy army perished.
To express that food goes bad, rots, or becomes inedible, or that materials deteriorate over time.
The standard word for food rotting or spoiling. Also used metaphorically for moral decay.
牛乳が腐ってしまった。
The milk has perished.
Means 'to go bad' or 'to spoil', often for food that is still edible but losing freshness. Softer than 腐る.
Means 'to deteriorate' or 'to degrade', used for materials, quality, or performance. Not typically for food.
プラスチックは紫外線で劣化する。
Plastic perishes under UV light.
Used to express that one hopes something will not happen or that an idea is unwelcome. Often said in rejection of a suggestion.
An exclamation meaning 'absolutely not', 'unthinkable', or 'outrageous'. Can be used to reject a suggestion strongly but politely.
「まさか彼が犯人だなんて？」「とんでもない！」
"Surely he's not the culprit?" "Perish the thought!"
Literally 'I don't even want to think about such a thing'. A more literal way to express 'perish the thought'.
彼が失敗するなんて、そんなこと考えたくもない。
Him failing? Perish the thought.
死ぬ is the basic word for 'die' and can be used in casual or neutral contexts, but it may sound blunt or insensitive when referring to someone's death directly. 亡くなる is a polite euphemism, preferred in formal speech, news, and when showing respect for the deceased.
祖父が亡くなりました。
My grandfather passed away.
その猫は昨日死んだ。
The cat died yesterday.
English 'perish' often sounds formal, literary, or dramatic. In everyday Japanese, using 死ぬ or 腐る is more natural than trying to find a direct equivalent. Reserve words like 滅びる or 消滅する for appropriate contexts.
Food perishes easily in the heat.