破産

• Reading: はさん
• Romaji: hasan
• Kanji breakdown: 破 (ha) — break, destroy; 産 (san) — property, production
• Pronunciation: /ha.saɴ/

Meaning

Bankruptcy; insolvency. The state of being unable to pay debts, resulting in legal proceedings.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (破産する). Primarily a legal and financial term for personal or corporate bankruptcy. Common expressions: 自己破産 (personal bankruptcy), 破産宣告 (declaration of bankruptcy), 破産手続き (bankruptcy proceedings). Used figuratively to mean being completely broke: 旅行で破産しそうだ (this trip is going to bankrupt me).

Examples

1. 借金が返せなくなって自己破産を申請した。 Unable to repay my debts, I filed for personal bankruptcy.
2. 無駄遣いを続けると破産するよ。 If you keep wasting money, you'll go bankrupt.
3. その会社は不景気の影響で破産してしまった。 The company went bankrupt due to the recession.

Usage Guide

Context: finance, legal, business

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 破 (ha, to break/destroy) and 産 (san, property/production). Together, 'breaking of property' — the destruction of one's financial assets.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal