Translation guide
The bed or place where someone is dying, or the final moments of life. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific nouns and set phrases, often with a solemn or literary tone.
Referring to the physical bed or place where a person is dying or has died.
Literally 'bed of one's final moments'. A common and natural way to say 'deathbed' in Japanese.
彼は臨終の床で家族に看取られた。
He was attended by his family on his deathbed.
A more direct compound meaning 'deathbed'. Slightly less common but still natural.
祖母は死に床で昔の話を語った。
My grandmother told old stories on her deathbed.
Literally 'bed of the final stage'. Used in literary or formal contexts.
王は末期の床で後継者を指名した。
The king named his successor on his deathbed.
Referring to the time or state just before dying, often used in phrases about last words or actions.
Means 'at the time of one's final moments'. Commonly used for deathbed confessions or last words.
彼は臨終の際に秘密を打ち明けた。
He revealed a secret on his deathbed.
Literally 'at the moment of death'. More direct and slightly less formal than 臨終の際に.
死に際に彼は妻の名を呼んだ。
On his deathbed, he called his wife's name.
Means 'in one's final stage'. Often used in medical or formal contexts.
患者は末期に家族と和解した。
The patient reconciled with his family on his deathbed.
A confession, statement, or wish made just before dying.
Literally 'words of one's final moments'. The standard way to say 'deathbed words'.
彼の臨終の言葉は家族への感謝だった。
His deathbed words were gratitude to his family.
Means 'will' or 'testament'. Often used for formal last wishes, not necessarily spoken on the deathbed but closely related.
彼は遺言で財産を寄付した。
In his deathbed will, he donated his estate.
The English word 'deathbed' is often used metaphorically (e.g., 'deathbed conversion'). In Japanese, the literal expressions above are not used metaphorically. For metaphorical uses, rephrase with context-appropriate terms like 死の間際 (しのまぎわ) or 最期 (さいご).