退治(たいじ)

たいじ
noun, suru verb
extermination; slaying; getting rid of
1. extermination; slaying; getting rid of
Defeating and eliminating something harmful or unwanted. Used for pests, monsters in folklore, and figuratively for bad habits or problems.
ゴキブリを退治(たいじ)する。
To get rid of cockroaches.
桃太郎(ももたろう)は鬼(おに)を退治(たいじ)した。
Momotaro slayed the demons.
庭(にわ)の害虫(がいちゅう)を退治(たいじ)するために、専門(せんもん)業者(ぎょうしゃ)に依頼(いらい)した。
I hired a professional to exterminate the pests in the garden.

Used for defeating or eliminating threats, from everyday pests to legendary monsters. A key word in Japanese folklore and fairy tales.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 鬼(おに)退治(たいじ) (demon slaying)
  • 害虫(がいちゅう)退治(たいじ) (pest extermination)
  • ゴキブリ退治(たいじ) (cockroach extermination)
  • 退治(たいじ)する (to exterminate, to slay)

Famous in the folktale of 桃太郎(ももたろう) (鬼退治(おにたいじ)). In everyday life, most commonly used for dealing with household pests. Not to be confused with 対峙(たいじ) (confrontation), which is a homophone.

general
Added 2026.2.28 20:00
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