弱肉強食

• Reading: じゃくにくきょうしょく
• Romaji: jakuniku kyoushoku
• Kanji breakdown: 弱 (jaku) — weak; 肉 (niku) — meat, flesh; 強 (kyou) — strong; 食 (shoku) — eat
• Pronunciation: /dʑa.kɯ.ni.kɯ.kʲoː.ɕo.kɯ/

Meaning

The law of the jungle; survival of the fittest. The strong prey on the weak.

A four-character compound (四字熟語, yojijukugo) describing the principle that the strong dominate and consume the weak. Used both literally (nature/animal kingdom) and figuratively (business, politics, society). Despite its classical origins, it remains highly relevant in modern discourse about competitive environments, capitalism, and social Darwinism. Often used critically to describe an excessively competitive society.

Examples

1. 自然界は弱肉強食の世界だ。 The natural world is a place where the strong prey on the weak.
2. ビジネスの世界も弱肉強食だと言われている。 The business world is also said to be governed by the law of the jungle.
3. 弱肉強食の社会を変えるために福祉政策が必要だ。 Welfare policies are needed to change a society where only the strong survive.

Usage Guide

Context: nature, business, social commentary

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From classical Chinese: 弱 (jaku, weak) + 肉 (niku, meat/flesh) + 強 (kyou, strong) + 食 (shoku, eat). Literally 'the weak are meat for the strong to eat' — a vivid metaphor for the dominance of the powerful over the powerless.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal