退廃

• Reading: たいはい
• Romaji: taihai
• Kanji breakdown: 退 (tai) — retreat, decline; 廃 (hai) — ruin, abandon
• Pronunciation: /ta.i.ha.i/

Meaning

Decadence; degeneration; corruption. A moral or cultural decline into disorder or indulgence.

A noun describing the deterioration of values, culture, or society — a decay from a former state of order or virtue. 退廃的な雰囲気 (decadent atmosphere) and 退廃文化 (decadent culture) are common collocations. It often carries a tone of moral judgement or aesthetic melancholy. Used in cultural criticism, literature, and historical analysis.

Examples

1. 世紀末の芸術には、退廃的な美しさと絶望感が漂っている。 The art of the fin de siècle is suffused with a decadent beauty and a sense of despair.
2. 道徳の退廃が社会不安の一因だと主張する論者もいる。 Some commentators argue that the degeneration of morality is one cause of social unrest.
3. 繁栄の果てに訪れる退廃は、歴史が繰り返してきた普遍的なテーマだ。 The decadence that follows prosperity is a universal theme that history has repeated.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, history, ethics, literature

Tone: critical

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 退 (tai) means to retreat or decline, 廃 (hai) means to fall into ruin or abandon. Together: 'retreating into ruin.'

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated