Meaning
The kanji 滅 (metsu, horobiru, horobosu) encompasses meanings of extinction, destruction, ruin, and perishing. It signifies a complete cessation of existence, whether due to natural processes or deliberate actions. At its core, 滅 conveys the idea of disappearance, annihilation, or being brought to a definitive end.
Its visual shape provides clues to its meaning. The left-hand radical, 氵 (sanzui), represents water. This radical commonly appears in kanji associated with water, liquids, or water-related actions. The right-hand component, 𠬜 (sometimes seen in older forms related to 蔑), historically depicts an act of removing or extinguishing. Some etymological explanations suggest it shows a fire being put out or something being swept away. When these components combine, the water radical (氵) powerfully emphasizes this act of extinguishing, washing away, or overwhelming. This leads to the kanji's core sense of total destruction or disappearance.
Thus, 滅 visually links to the idea of water completely putting out or destroying something, causing its demise. This makes it a potent character for expressing concepts like annihilation, eradication, or the natural end of things. It has 13 strokes and is an N1 level kanji, typically learned by advanced Japanese students, not part of the elementary school curriculum.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
On'yomi are readings derived from Chinese pronunciation, most commonly used when the kanji appears as part of a compound word.
メツ (metsu): This is the primary on'yomi for 滅. It's frequently used in words related to destruction, extinction, or disappearance, conveying a strong sense of finality and completeness.
絶滅 (zetsumetsu) — extinction, annihilation. This refers to the complete disappearance of a species, object, or concept.
壊滅 (kaimetsu) — destruction, annihilation, crushing defeat. Often describes large-scale devastation, such as an entire city or region being destroyed.
全滅 (zenmetsu) — complete destruction, annihilation. Can be used in contexts like a team being completely wiped out in a game, battle, or a project facing total failure.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi are native Japanese readings, typically used when the kanji stands alone or forms part of a verb or adjective stem.
ほろ.びる (horobiru): This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to perish,' 'to be ruined,' 'to go out of existence,' or 'to become extinct.' It describes something ceasing to exist on its own, without a direct external cause.
国が滅びる (kuni ga horobiru) — a country perishes or falls into ruin.
文明が滅びる (bunmei ga horobiru) — a civilization perishes or declines.
種が滅びる (shu ga horobiru) — a species becomes extinct.
ほろ.ぼす (horobosu): This is a transitive verb meaning 'to destroy,' 'to ruin,' 'to bring to an end,' or 'to annihilate.' It describes an action where someone or something actively causes another to perish or be destroyed.
敵を滅ぼす (teki o horobosu) — to destroy or annihilate the enemy.
自らを滅ぼす (mizukara o horobosu) — to ruin oneself, to bring about one's own downfall.
悪を滅ぼす (aku o horobosu) — to eradicate or destroy evil.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 滅 is found in numerous compounds, showcasing its varied applications in expressing ideas of destruction, disappearance, and conclusion. Below are some key examples, grouped by thematic usage:
General Destruction & Extinction
- 絶滅 (zetsumetsu) — extinction, annihilation. Often used for species, cultures, or even abstract phenomena.
- 壊滅 (kaimetsu) — destruction, annihilation, crushing defeat. Implies widespread, devastating damage, often affecting entire regions or systems.
- 全滅 (zenmetsu) — complete destruction, annihilation. Frequently used in military contexts, games (like a "team wipe"), or even sports to signify total defeat or wipeout.
- 破滅 (hametsu) — ruin, downfall, destruction. Often refers to the collapse of a person's life, fortune, or a society, emphasizing utter ruin.
- 滅亡 (metsubou) — downfall, ruin, collapse, extinction (of a nation, dynasty). A more formal term for the end of a state, dynasty, or empire.
Disappearance & Eradication
- 消滅 (shoumetsu) — disappearance, extinction, coming to an end. Can be used for things like memories, organizations, concepts, or even physical objects that vanish.
- 殲滅 (senmetsu) — annihilation, extermination. A strong military term for completely destroying an enemy force or a large group of opponents.
- 討滅 (toumetsu) — suppression, subjugation, annihilation. Often used in historical or mythical contexts, such as defeating rebels, monsters, or evil beings.
Figurative & Specific Usages
- 滅多 (metta) — rarely, seldom. Usually followed by a negative verb (e.g., 滅多にない - very rare, 滅多に行かない - rarely go). Here, 滅 doesn't literally mean destruction but implies a near-zero occurrence or frequency.
- 滅私 (messhi) — selflessness, self-sacrifice. The act of extinguishing one's private desires or self-interest for the public good.
- 滅入る (meiru) — to feel depressed, to be disheartened. Figuratively, one's spirit or energy is 'extinguished' or 'put out,' leading to a downcast mood.
Example Sentences
恐竜は数千万年前に絶滅したと言われている。
Kyōryū wa sūsenmannen mae ni zetsumetsu shita to iwarete iru.
It is said that dinosaurs became extinct millions of years ago.
その都市は地震で壊滅的な被害を受けた。
Sono toshi wa jishin de kaimetsuteki na higai o uketa.
The city suffered catastrophic destruction from the earthquake.
彼は悪の組織を滅ぼすことを誓った。
Kare wa aku no soshiki o horobosu koto o chikatta.
He vowed to destroy the evil organization.
伝統を失うと文明は滅びることがある。
Dentō o ushinau to bunmei wa horobiru koto ga aru.
A civilization can perish if it loses its traditions.
彼らは種の完全な滅亡を防いだ。
Karera wa shu no kanzen na metsubō o fuseida.
They prevented the complete extinction of the species.
彼の無謀な行動が彼自身を破滅へと導いた。
Kare no mubō na kōdō ga kare jishin o hametsu e to michibiita.
His reckless actions led him to his own ruin.
その古代帝国は数百年後に滅亡した。
Sono kodai teikoku wa sūhyakunen-go ni metsubō shita.
That ancient empire collapsed centuries later.
この風習はもうほとんど消滅している。
Kono fūshū wa mō hotondo shōmetsu shite iru.
This custom has almost disappeared.
このような事件が起こることはめったにない。
Kono yō na jiken ga okoru koto wa metta ni nai.
It is rare for such an incident to occur.
Memory Tip
To remember 滅, focus on its two key components. The left side, 氵 (sanzui), is the water radical – picture a powerful flood. The right part, 𠬜 (or a variation), can be imagined as representing something swept away or extinguished. Combine these: envision a massive wave of water (氵) completely washing away and destroying (𠬜) everything in its path, leading to total extinction or ruin. Alternatively, visualize water being poured to extinguish a raging fire, bringing everything to an end. This powerful image of water causing ultimate destruction or disappearance will help solidify the kanji's core meanings of 'extinction,' 'destroy,' and 'perish.'