蹂躙する

• Reading: じゅうりんする
• Romaji: juurinsuru
• Kanji breakdown: 蹂 (juu) — to tread on; 躙 (rin) — to trample, crush
• Pronunciation: /dʑɯː.ɾin.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To trample; to violate; to ravage. To crush or override ruthlessly, especially rights, territory, or people.

A Group 3 (suru) compound verb. 蹂躙する is a powerful, strongly negative verb used in serious contexts — human rights violations (人権を蹂躙する), military invasion (領土を蹂躙する), or systematic oppression. The kanji both depict feet treading, reinforcing the image of brutal trampling. It rarely appears in casual speech and is mostly found in journalism, legal discourse, and impassioned rhetoric. The noun 蹂躙 is used similarly.

Examples

1. 侵攻した軍は住民の基本的人権を蹂躙し、国際社会から強い非難を受けた。 The invading army trampled the basic human rights of the civilian population, drawing fierce condemnation from the international community.
2. 法律を蹂躙するような行為は民主主義の根幹を揺るがすものだ。 Acts that trample upon the law strike at the very foundations of democracy.
3. 歴史的に多くの民族が外来勢力によって文化と尊厳を蹂躙されてきた。 Historically, many peoples have had their culture and dignity ravaged by foreign powers.

Usage Guide

Context: human rights, war, law, political discourse, history

Tone: grave, condemnatory

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 蹂 (juu — to tread on) + 躙 (rin — to trample, crush). Both kanji contain the foot radical 足, emphasising violent physical trampling later extended to abstract violations. Entered Japanese through classical Chinese war and law texts.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated