Translation and Meaning of: 滅びる - horobiru

The word 「滅びる」 (horobiru) is a Japanese verb that carries the meaning of "perish," "destroy oneself," or "decline." In the linguistic context, the expression is comprised of two fundamental elements: the kanji 「滅」 and the verbal suffix 「びる」. This term is often used to describe something that is in decline or a process of inevitable destruction that can be both physical and symbolic.

Exploring the etymology, the kanji「滅」is regularly associated with the idea of extinction or annihilation. This ideogram is composed of two radicals: 「氵」which refers to water, suggesting a cycle of life and death, and 「戈」which means spear or weapon, symbolizing conflict. The combination of these elements can be interpreted as diminishing as, for example, a flame is extinguished by water. The verbal suffix 「びる」is less common, but it serves to conjugate the verb, transforming it into an action or state of being.

In the cultural roots of Japan, the notion of "horobiru" often appears in literature, mythology, and historical tales that speak about the transience of life. This expression evokes the idea that nothing is eternal and everything is subject to the wear of time. A good example is the story of the fall of ancient civilizations like Asuka or Nara, where the term can be applied to describe the decline of powerful kingdoms. This context gives a profound philosophical and cultural meaning to the word, beyond its more pragmatic use in everyday language.

In contemporary use, "horobiru" can be heard in speeches about the environment or technology, reflecting concerns about sustainability and the unchecked advance that can lead to ruin. So, while the verb "horobiru" carries a negative connotation, it also encourages reflection on impermanence and the need to act before destruction is irreversible.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 滅びる (ほろびる) - perish, to be destroyed; refers to the extinction or downfall of something.
• ほろぶ (ほろぶ) - perish, succumb; similar to 滅びる, usually used in less formal contexts.
• ほろぼす (ほろぼす) - to destroy; emphasizes the action of causing the destruction of something.
• ほろびやすい (ほろびやすい) - easy to perish; describes something that is prone to being destroyed.
• ほろびかける (ほろびかける) - to be on the verge of perishing; indicates that something is in a state of decline or imminent destruction.
• くずれる (くずれる) - collapse; refers to the breakdown or failure of something, especially structures.
• くずす (くずす) - dismantle, break; the action of destabilizing or disaggregating something.
• くずれやすい (くずれやすい) - easy to crumble; describes something that has a high likelihood of collapsing.
• くずれかかる (くずれかかる) - to be crumbling; indicates that something is in the process of collapsing.
• くずれこむ (くずれこむ) - collapse inward; it refers to a collapse that results in shrinkage or reduction.
• くずれだす (くずれだす) - start to crumble; the act of initiating a collapse process.
• くずれさる (くずれさる) - to be crumbled; generally indicates something that has already gone through a collapse.
• くずれそう (くずれそう) - it seems to be crumbling; an indication that something is at risk of collapsing.
• くずれちゃう (くずれちゃう) - to end up collapsing; a colloquial way of implying that something will fall apart, often used in conversation.
• くずれっぱなし (くずれっぱなし) - continue crumbling; suggests a state of continuous collapse without correction.
• くずれっぱなしになる (くずれっぱなしになる) - to be in a state of collapse; emphasizes the transition to a permanent state of breakdown.
• くずれずに (くずれずに) - without collapsing; refers to the ability to remain stable.
• くずれずにいる (くずれずにいる) - stay without collapsing; indicates the maintenance of stability over time.
• くずれずに済 (くずれずに済) - to avoid collapse; implies that some effort was made to maintain integrity.