決裂

• Reading: けつれつ
• Romaji: ketsuretsu
• Kanji breakdown: 決 (ketsu/ki) — decide, break; 裂 (retsu/sa) — tear, split, rend
• Pronunciation: /ketsɯɾetsɯ/

Meaning

Breakdown; rupture; collapse. The complete failure of negotiations, talks, or an agreement.

A suru-verb noun used specifically for the breakdown of negotiations, diplomatic talks, or agreements. Unlike 失敗 (failure), 決裂 implies that two parties were engaged in a process that has now irreparably fractured. Common in political, business, and diplomatic reporting.

Examples

1. 交渉は最終局面で決裂し、合意には至らなかった。 Negotiations broke down at the final stage, and no agreement was reached.
2. 労使交渉が決裂したことで、大規模なストライキが始まった。 The collapse of labor-management negotiations triggered a large-scale strike.
3. 首脳会談の決裂は、両国関係に深刻な影を落とした。 The breakdown of the summit cast a serious shadow over relations between the two countries.

Usage Guide

Context: diplomacy, business negotiations, labour relations, politics

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 決 (ketsu, to decide/break) and 裂 (retsu, to tear/split). The image is of something being decisively torn apart — an agreement split beyond repair.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Professional