弱肉強食(じゃくにくきょうしょく)

じゃくにくきょうしょく
noun
survival of the fittest; law of the jungle
1. survival of the fittest; law of the jungle
The principle that the strong prey upon the weak. Used to describe competitive situations in nature, business, or society where only the strongest survive.
自然界(しぜんかい)は弱肉強食(じゃくにくきょうしょく)の世界(せかい)だ。
The natural world is ruled by survival of the fittest.
ビジネスの世界(せかい)も弱肉強食(じゃくにくきょうしょく)だ。
The business world is also survival of the fittest.
弱肉強食(じゃくにくきょうしょく)の論理(ろんり)で片付(かたづ)けてはいけない。
We shouldn't dismiss things with the logic of survival of the fittest.

LITERAL MEANING:
弱(じゃく) (weak) + 肉(にく) (meat/flesh) + 強(きょう) (strong) + 食(しょく) (eat)
"The strong eat the flesh of the weak"

ORIGIN:
Derived from classical Chinese, describing the natural order where stronger creatures prey on weaker ones.

USAGE:
Often used critically to describe ruthless competition in business, politics, or society. Can be neutral when describing nature, but often carries a negative connotation when applied to human society.

RELATED:

general
Added 2026.1.17 2:23 · Revised 2026.6.16 15:42
05500/05946_jakunikukyoushoku