致命的

• Reading: ちめいてきな
• Romaji: chimeiteki na
• Kanji breakdown: 致 (chi) — to inflict, cause; 命 (mei) — life, fate; 的 (teki) — -ic, forming adjectival nouns
• Pronunciation: /tɕi.me.i.te.ki/

Meaning

Fatal; lethal; critical; devastating. Describes a flaw, blow, or weakness severe enough to cause irreparable or total failure.

A na-adjective used in compound form 致命的な (chimeiteki na). While literally meaning 'life-ending,' it is used broadly in journalism, business, and everyday speech to describe any error, weakness, or event that destroys something—a plan, a relationship, a career, or a match. The adverb 致命的に (chimeiteki ni) means 'fatally' or 'devastatingly.'

Examples

1. その戦略上の失敗は会社にとって致命的なダメージを与えた。 The strategic blunder dealt a fatal blow to the company.
2. 試合終盤のパスミスが致命的となり、チームは逆転負けを喫した。 A pass error late in the match proved devastating, and the team suffered a comeback defeat.
3. 主人公のその一言が物語の致命的な転換点になっていた。 That single line from the protagonist turned out to be the fatal turning point of the story.

Usage Guide

Context: journalism, business, sports, medicine, literature

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 致 (chi, to inflict, to bring about), 命 (mei, life, fate), and 的 (teki, forming adjectival nouns). Literally 'life-bringing,' it denoted something that delivers death; extended to any decisive, irreversible blow.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal