滅びる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 滅びる(ほろびる) describes a civilization, living species, or similar entity ceasing to exist.
• Basic usage: It refers to an end such as a civilization's destruction or a species' extinction.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Perishing and causing destruction
  • In 文明が滅びる, the civilization is what perishes.
  • 文明を滅ぼす describes someone causing the civilization's destruction.