Translation and Meaning of: 倒産 - tousan

The Japanese word 倒産[とうさん] is a term that arouses curiosity both for its kanji writing and the meaning it carries. If you are studying Japanese or have an interest in the country's culture, understanding what this expression represents can be useful in various situations. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is used in everyday Japanese, along with tips for memorizing it effectively.

倒産 is a word that appears frequently in news and discussions about the economy, but it can also arise in more informal contexts. Its use reflects important aspects of Japanese society, especially concerning the business world. Let's unveil every detail so you can understand not only the translation but also the cultural perception behind it.

Meaning and use of 倒産 [とうさん]

倒産 is composed of two kanjis: 倒, which means "fall" or "collapse," and 産, which refers to "production" or "business." Together, they form the word that can be translated as "bankruptcy" or "failure" in a business context. In Japan, this term is used to describe companies that cease their operations due to financial difficulties.

Unlike words like 破産[はさん], which also means bankruptcy but has a more legal connotation, 倒産 is broader and can be applied in everyday situations. For example, a small restaurant that closes its doors due to a lack of customers can be described with this word, just like a large corporation that declares insolvency.

Origin and etymology of the word

The combination of the kanjis 倒 and 産 is not random. The first, 倒, carries the idea of something that collapses or falls apart, while 産 is associated with business and production. This combination reflects the concept of a company that can no longer sustain itself. The origin of the word dates back to the Meiji period, when Japan underwent significant economic transformations.

Interestingly, 倒産 is not an ancient term, but its popularization occurred alongside the country's industrial growth. Over time, it became part of the common vocabulary, especially in economic reports. The pronunciation とうさん is also easy to remember, which helps Japanese students to memorize it more quickly.

Tips for memorizing 倒産

An effective way to remember this word is to associate the kanjis with a mental image. Imagine a business building (産) collapsing (倒) – this scene illustrates the meaning of bankruptcy well. Another tip is to create flashcards with sentences like "あの会社は倒産した" (that company went bankrupt) to practice using it in context.

In addition, paying attention to Japanese news about the economy can help you become familiar with the term. Many news portals use 倒産 in headlines when companies face financial crises. The more you expose yourself to real vocabulary, the more natural the learning process will be.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 破産 (Hasan) - Bankruptcy of an individual or company, inability to pay personal debts.
• 倒産 (Tōsan) - Bankruptcy of a company, inability to meet financial obligations.
• 経営破綻 (Keiei hatan) - Management or administration collapse, usually leading to bankruptcy.
• 経営不振 (Keiei fushin) - Poor business performance, financial difficulties without necessarily leading to immediate bankruptcy.
• 経営危機 (Keiei kiki) - Management crisis, a critical situation that can lead to bankruptcy.
• 経営難 (Keiei nan) - Difficulties in management, financial problems that may impact business continuity.
• 経営悪化 (Keiei akka) - Degeneration of a company's financial condition, worsening economic performance.
• 経営崩壊 (Keiei hōkai) - Total collapse of management, leading to bankruptcy or total incompetence of the company.
• 営業停止 (Eigyō teishi) - Temporary interruption of business operations, not necessarily due to bankruptcy.
• 営業中止 (Eigyō chūshi) - Cancellation of business operations can be permanent or temporary.
• 営業中断 (Eigyō chūdan) - Pause in business operations, frequently reviewed to restart.
• 営業打ち切り (Eigyō uchikiri) - End of business operations before planned, definitive.
• 営業終了 (Eigyō shūryō) - Formal closure of business operations, which may be due to bankruptcy or management decision.
• 営業停滞 (Eigyō teitai) - Stagnation in commercial activities leads to financial difficulties without immediate action.
• 営業縮小 (Eigyō shukushō) - Reduction of business operations may be a response to financial difficulties.
• 営業縮退 (Eigyō shukutai) - Decline in business operations, with implications of significant reduction.
• 営業縮図 (Eigyō shukuzu) - Representation of the reduced commercial operation, often a reflection of the financial situation.
• 経営状態悪化 (Keiei jōtai akka) - Deterioration of management conditions, leading to a critical financial situation.

倒産

Romaji: tousan
Kana: とうさん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: bankruptcy (corporate); insolvency

Meaning in English: (corporate) bankruptcy;insolvency

Definition: Financial bankruptcy of a company or individual.

Example Sentences - (倒産) tousan

See below some example sentences:

私たちの会社は倒産しました。

Watashitachi no kaisha wa tousan shimashita

Our company went bankrupt.

Our company went bankrupt.

• 私たちの会社 (watashitachi no kaisha) - our company
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 倒産しました (tousan shimashita) - failed, went bankrupt