Take the dictionary offline. 190,000+ words and 6,000+ kanji — free on iPhone.

Get the app

Meaning of 滅びる(ほろびる) in Japanese

Japanese word definition and usage

Reading and JLPT level 滅びる, 亡びる JLPT 1

Kana Reading ほろびる

Romaji horobiru

Parts of speech

Ichidan verb, intransitive verb

Meaning

to be ruined; to go under; to perish; to be destroyed

Example Sentences

滅びる, 亡びる, ほろびる used in context

滅び(ほろびる)に至る(いたる)門(と)は大きく(おおきく)、その道(そのみち)は広い(ひろい)。

For the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction.
肉体(にくたい)は滅びる(ほろびる)が霊魂(れいこん)は不滅(ふめつ)である。

A man's body dies, but his soul is immortal.
私たち(わたしたち)は兄弟(きょうだい)として共に(ともに)(ともに)生きる(いきる)ことを知ら(しる)ねばならない。さもなくば、愚か者(おろかもの)として共に(ともに)(ともに)滅びる(ほろびる)であろう。

We must learn to live together as brothers, or we will perish together as fools.
剣(けん)(けん)を取る(とる)者(もの)は皆(みな)剣(けん)(けん)で滅びる(ほろびる)。

All who take up the sword will perish by the sword.
ローマ人(じん)は自分(じぶん)たちの帝国(ていこく)が滅びる(ほろびる)ことを望まなかった(のぞむ)。しかしそれは滅びて(ほろびる)しまった(しまう)。

Romans did not want their Empire to decline; but it did.
ローマ人(じん)は自分(じぶん)たちの帝国(ていこく)が滅びる(ほろびる)ことを望まなかった(のぞむ)。しかしそれは滅びて(ほろびる)しまった(しまう)。

Romans did not want their Empire to decline; but it did.

Verb Conjugations

Common conjugated forms

Non-Past

Plain

滅びる

Plain Polite

滅びます

Negative

滅びない

Negative Polite

滅びません

Past

Plain

滅びた

Plain Polite

滅びました

Negative

滅びなかった

Negative Polite

滅びませんでした

Plain

滅びて

Plain Polite

滅びまして

Negative

Negative Polite

Passive

Plain

滅びられる

Plain Polite

滅びられます

Negative

滅びられない

Negative Polite

滅びられません

Related Study Lists

Study lists that include this entry

Related Kanji

Kanji found in this word

滅 JLPT 1

destroy, ruin, overthrow, perish

On: メツ

Kun: ほろ.びる, ほろ.ぶ, ほろ.ぼす

13 strokes

Learn more

亡 JLPT 3

deceased, the late, dying, perish

On: ボウ, モウ

Kun: な.い, な.き-, ほろ.びる, ほろ.ぶ, ほろ.ぼす

3 strokes

Learn more

Go beyond looking it up

Turn every word you look up into a word you actually know

You found the word. Now make it stick. Nihongo Master connects the dictionary directly to your personal study system so one click is all it takes.

Save to personal study lists
Drill with spaced repetition until it sticks
Print handwriting practice sheets
Test yourself with skill quizzes
Track progress across every word you study

Start Free 7-Day Trial

No credit card required. Cancel anytime.

The Nihongo Master Dictionary mobile app

Get the Nihongo Master Dictionary app

Look up 190,000+ words and 6,000+ kanji completely offline — with full conjugations, stroke-order writing practice, a sentence analyzer, and spaced-repetition review. Free on iPhone.

Android coming soon

Learn more about the app

Earn with Nihongo Master

Love Japanese? Share it and get paid.

Join the Nihongo Master affiliate program. Share your link and earn 30% on every payment your referrals make, for as long as they stay subscribed.

30% lifetime recurring commission
60-day referral cookie
No approval needed — start right away
Monthly payouts via PayPal

Learn More About the Program

Free Japanese learning resources

Everything you need to start — no account required.