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Translation and Meaning of: 朽ちる - kuchiru

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 朽ちる (kuchiru) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: kuchiru

Kana: くちる

Type: noun

L: jlpt-n1

朽ちる

Translation / Meaning: to rot

Meaning in English: to rot

Definition: Things age or deteriorate and become useless. Decadence; deteriorate.

Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (朽ちる) kuchiru

The Japanese word 「朽ちる」, read as "kuchiru", is a verb that can be translated as "to rot" or "to decay." This expression is often used to describe a process of deterioration or decomposition, whether physical or, in a more figurative sense, moral or social. In summary, it is related to the decay of something over time, in a slow and gradual manner.

Etymologically, 「朽ちる」 is composed of the kanji 「朽」, which incorporates the radical 「木」 (ki), meaning "tree" or "wood," and the phonetic part 「旧」 (kyuu), meaning "old." This combination refers to the idea of something that naturally ages and deteriorates, like wood that rots over time when exposed to the elements of nature. This image of natural decay is fundamental to the cultural understanding of this word in the Japanese context.

The use of 「朽ちる」 is not limited to the physical realm, such as wood or food that rots. The expression also has figurative connotations. In literature or conversations, it can be used to describe the decay of personal values, institutions, or even civilizations, symbolizing a decline or loss of relevance over time. This ability to apply to both the physical and the abstract makes 「朽ちる」 a rich and multifaceted expression in the Japanese language.

In Japanese culture, this perception of deterioration and the respect for the process of aging and transformation permeates many aspects of life. The use of 「朽ち果てる」 ("kuchihateru"), a derived form that highlights the culmination of decay, or 「朽ち気味」 ("kuchigimi"), to describe something that is starting to show signs of decadence, is frequent. Thus, the term 「朽ちる」 stands out for its versatility in capturing the nuances of time and transformation in the Japanese language.

Synonyms and similar words

  • 朽ち果てる (kuchihateru) - To be consumed by decomposition; to perish.
  • 腐る (kusaru) - Rot; to deteriorate.
  • 腐朽する (fukyuu suru) - Decompose; deteriorate (specifically related to the degradation of organic matter).
  • 腐敗する (fuhai suru) - Corruption; putrefaction (usually used in contexts related to moral or physical decay).
  • 腐食する (fushoku suru) - Corrode; deteriorate due to chemical reactions (such as rust).
  • 腐臭する (fushuu suru) - Emit a smell of decomposition; a foul odor resulting from rotting.

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Words related

Words with the same pronunciation: くちる kuchiru

How to Write in Japanese - (朽ちる) kuchiru

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (朽ちる) kuchiru:

Example Sentences - (朽ちる) kuchiru

Below are some example sentences:

木は朽ちる。

Ki wa kuchiru

The wood rots.

The tree decays.

  • 木 - Means "tree" in Japanese.
  • は - is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "tree".
  • 朽ちる - is a verb that means "to rot" or "to decompose".

Other words of the same type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

itasu
to do
isogu
rush; rush
ijiru
touch; to mix
iji
maintenance; preservation
ijimeru
to tease; torment; to chase; punish
朽ちる