灭亡

滅亡

mièwáng

verb HSK 7 #7,854

Meanings

1 to perish
2 to be destroyed
3 to fall (of a nation or civilization)

Characters

to extinguish; to destroy

to perish; to die

Examples

罗马帝国最终走向了灭亡。

Luómǎ Dìguó zuìzhōng zǒuxiàng le mièwáng.

The Roman Empire ultimately met its demise.

落后就要灭亡。

Luòhòu jiù yào mièwáng.

To fall behind is to face destruction.

Tips

usage

灭亡 is used for the destruction of nations, civilizations, or species — large-scale, total destruction. It is not used for individual deaths. Compare with 灭绝 which focuses on extinction of species.

Stroke Order

灭 miè

亡 wáng