後を絶たない

• Reading: あとをたたない
• Romaji: ato wo tatanai
• Kanji breakdown: 後 (ato) — after, behind; 絶 (ta) — sever, cut off
• Pronunciation: /a.to.o.ta.ta.na.i/

Meaning

Never ceasing; never ending; endless. Used for ongoing negative phenomena that continue without stopping.

An idiomatic expression combining 後 (ato, aftermath/succession) + を + 絶たない (tatanai, does not cease). Almost exclusively used for negative phenomena such as accidents, crimes, or complaints that keep occurring despite efforts to stop them. A staple of news reporting and formal commentary.

Examples

1. 飲酒運転による事故が後を絶たない。 Accidents caused by drunk driving never seem to stop.
2. ネット上の誹謗中傷は後を絶たない状況だ。 Online harassment shows no signs of letting up.
3. 違法駐車の苦情が後を絶たないらしい。 Complaints about illegal parking apparently never cease.

Usage Guide

Context: news, social issues, reports

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From 後 (ato, what comes after) + 絶つ (tatsu, to cut off/cease). Literally 'the aftermath does not cease,' meaning occurrences keep following one another without end.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal