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.
自然界は弱肉強食の世界だ。
The natural world is ruled by survival of the fittest.
ビジネスの世界も弱肉強食だ。
The business world is also survival of the fittest.
弱肉強食の論理で片付けてはいけない。
We shouldn't dismiss things with the logic of survival of the fittest.
LITERAL MEANING:
弱 (weak) + 肉 (meat/flesh) + 強 (strong) + 食 (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:
- 適者生存: survival of the fittest (biological term)