不可避

• Reading: ふかひ
• Romaji: fukahi
• Kanji breakdown: 不 (fu) — negation; 可 (ka) — possible; 避 (hi/sa) — avoid, evade
• Pronunciation: /ɸɯ.ka.çi/

Meaning

Inevitable; unavoidable; inescapable. Describes an outcome or event that cannot be prevented regardless of effort.

A na-adjective with a formal, often weighty register. Frequently used in historical, political, and philosophical writing to describe developments that seem destined to occur. 不可避的な衝突 (inevitable clash) and 不可避の結果 (unavoidable outcome) are standard collocations. More formal and literary than 避けられない.

Examples

1. 二大国の対立は、歴史的な文脈から見ると不可避だったかもしれない。 The conflict between the two superpowers may have been inevitable given the historical context.
2. 老いと死は人間が直面する不可避の現実だ。 Aging and death are inevitable realities that all humans must face.
3. 技術革新に伴う雇用の変化は不可避であり、社会全体で対応が求められる。 Changes in employment brought about by technological innovation are inevitable, and society as a whole must respond.

Usage Guide

Context: history, philosophy, politics, social change

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 不 (fu, not) + 可 (ka, possible) + 避 (hi, avoid/evade). Literally 'impossible to avoid.' A Sino-Japanese compound translating the philosophical concept of inevitability, widely used in modern academic and journalistic writing.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated