途絶える

• Reading: とだえる
• Romaji: todaeru
• Kanji breakdown: 途 (to) — way, route; 絶 (ta/zetsu) — to sever, discontinue
• Pronunciation: /to.da.e.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To stop; to cease; to come to an end; to be cut off completely. Implies something that once continued has now ended.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. Stronger than 途切れる — while 途切れる implies a temporary interruption, 途絶える suggests a more definitive cessation. Used for traditions, communication, supplies, or lineages that have died out.

Examples

1. その村では伝統的な祭りが途絶えてしまった。 The traditional festival in that village has died out.
2. 戦争中、海外との連絡が途絶えた。 During the war, contact with overseas was completely cut off.
3. 客足が途絶えて、その店はついに閉店した。 Customers stopped coming and the store finally closed.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, history, news

Tone: solemn

Origin & History

Compound of 途 (way/route) and 絶える (to die out/cease). The combination emphasizes complete discontinuation of something that was ongoing.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal