Translation guide
Expressing that someone is in the process of dying, near death, or in a critical condition. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions depending on whether the focus is on the physical process, the imminent state, or a figurative sense.
To say that a person or animal is in the process of dying or is about to die.
Literally 'is in the middle of dying'. This is the most direct and common way to say someone is dying, emphasizing the ongoing process.
祖父は病院で死にかけている。
My grandfather is dying in the hospital.
Means 'looks like (someone) is going to die' or 'seems to be dying'. Used when observing signs of imminent death.
その鳥は死にそうだ。
That bird looks like it's dying.
A noun meaning 'on the verge of death' or 'moribund'. Often used in medical or dramatic contexts. Can be used with の or 状態.
彼は瀕死の状態だ。
He is in a dying state.
A euphemistic phrase meaning 'to breathe one's last', i.e., to die. It describes the moment of death rather than the process of dying.
祖母は静かに息を引き取った。
My grandmother passed away peacefully.
To express a strong desire or need for something, often humorously or dramatically, like 'I'm dying for a drink'.
Attach to the stem of a verb to mean 'I can't help but want to...', 'I'm dying to...'. Very common for expressing strong desires.
水が飲みたくてたまらない。
I'm dying for a drink of water.
Literally 'I'm so (adjective) I could die'. Used for extreme states like hunger, tiredness, or embarrassment.
お腹が空いて死にそうだ。
I'm so hungry I could die.
Similar to 〜たくてたまらない but slightly more formal/literary. Expresses an uncontrollable feeling.
彼に会いたくてならない。
I'm dying to see him.
To say 'I'm dying of laughter' or that something is so funny it's killing you.
Literally 'to die laughing'. Used when something is extremely funny. Often used in the potential form or as an exaggeration.
あの動画を見て笑い死にしそうになった。
I almost died laughing watching that video.
Idiom meaning 'to split one's sides laughing'. Describes laughing so hard your stomach twists.
彼の冗談で腹がよじれた。
I was dying laughing at his joke.
To express extreme embarrassment, as in 'I wanted to die'.
Directly translates to 'I'm so embarrassed I could die'. Common in casual speech.
みんなの前で転んで、恥ずかしくて死にそうだった。
I tripped in front of everyone and was dying of embarrassment.
Idiom meaning 'I wish I could sink into the ground'. Expresses a desire to disappear from shame.
あんな失敗をして、穴があったら入りたい気分だ。
After that mistake, I'm dying of embarrassment.
English 'be dying' is often figurative. Japanese uses specific patterns like 〜たくてたまらない or 〜て死にそうだ. Directly translating 'I'm dying' as 死んでいる means 'I am dead', not 'I am dying'.
死んでいる
I am dead (not dying).
死にかけている focuses on the ongoing process of dying (e.g., a patient in critical condition). 死にそうだ focuses on the appearance or likelihood of imminent death (e.g., an injured animal). In many contexts they overlap, but 死にそうだ is more subjective.
彼は癌で死にかけている。
He is dying of cancer. (process)
彼は死にそうな顔をしている。
He looks like he's dying. (appearance)