没落

ぼつらく

ruin, fall, collapse

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word "没落" (mòluò) primarily means "to decline" or "to fall into decay," often used to describe families, businesses, industries, or cities that were once prosperous but have lost their status or wealth. It carries a somewhat formal or literary tone and is common in written and spoken Chinese when discussing historical or economic decline.

Common Collocations

  • 家族没落 (jiāzú mòluò): family decline, often referring to loss of wealth or status.
  • 行业没落 (hángyè mòluò): industry decline, used when a sector loses its vitality.
  • 经济没落 (jīngjì mòluò): economic decline, describing downturns in economic conditions.

Usage Notes

"没落" is often used with subjects that once had prominence or wealth. It implies a process or state of falling from a high or stable position. It is not used for temporary setbacks but rather for significant or lasting decline. Avoid confusing it with "下降" (xiàjiàng), which means "to descend" or "to decrease" but is more neutral and quantitative.

Tone and Register

The term is somewhat formal and more likely to appear in news reports, literature, or academic discussions rather than casual conversation. However, it is still understandable and usable in everyday speech when describing serious decline.

Example Sentences

That family used to be very wealthy, but now it has declined.

With changes in the times, many traditional industries are gradually

This city was once prosperous for a time, but later became desolate due to