淘汰(とうた)

とうた
noun, suru verb
selection; weeding out; elimination
1. selection; weeding out; elimination
the process of removing the unfit or unsuitable through competition or natural processes
自然(しぜん)淘汰(とうた)の法則(ほうそく)。
The law of natural selection.
競争(きょうそう)で弱(よわ)い企業(きぎょう)が淘汰(とうた)される。
Weak companies are weeded out through competition.
市場(しじょう)の淘汰(とうた)を生(い)き残(のこ)った。
They survived the market shakeout.

淘汰(とうた) describes the process of elimination through competition or natural processes.

WORD TYPE:

  • Noun
  • Also used as passive: 淘汰(とうた)される (to be eliminated/weeded out)

KANJI BREAKDOWN:

  • 淘(とう) (washing, selecting)
  • 汰(た) (luxury, washing)
  • Original meaning: washing/sifting to separate grain

KEY EXPRESSIONS:

  • 自然(しぜん)淘汰(とうた) (natural selection - Darwin's theory)
  • 淘汰(とうた)される (to be eliminated)
  • 淘汰(とうた)を生(い)き残(のこ)る (to survive the selection process)

USAGE CONTEXT:

  • Biology (natural selection)
  • Business (market competition)
  • Society (social Darwinism, controversial)
  • Technology (old tech being replaced)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 自然(しぜん)淘汰(とうた) (natural selection)
  • 市場(しじょう)の淘汰(とうた) (market shakeout)
  • 競争(きょうそう)による淘汰(とうた) (elimination through competition)
  • 淘汰(とうた)圧力(あつりょく) (selection pressure)

NUANCE:

  • Can be neutral (scientific) or negative (harsh)
  • Implies the weak/unfit are removed
  • Often used in business journalism

RELATED TERMS:

  • 選別(せんべつ) (sorting, selection)
  • 選択(せんたく) (choice, selection)
  • 駆逐(くちく) (expulsion, eradication)

REGISTER: Formal. Common in academic, business, and news contexts.

general
Added 2026.1.22 21:11 · Revised 2026.2.19 21:32
07500/07942_touta