Translation guide
The concept of life and death, often used in serious contexts like matters of life and death, or the boundary between living and dying.
Expressing that something is extremely serious, critical, or a matter of survival.
A common phrase meaning 'a matter of life and death' or 'life-threatening'. Used for situations where survival is at stake.
これは生死に関わる問題だ。
This is a matter of life and death.
彼の病気は生死に関わる。
His illness is life-threatening.
Referring to the state of being between life and death, or the concept of life and death as a duality.
The most direct translation, meaning 'life and death'. Often used in philosophical or medical contexts.
Describing a fight or situation where survival is at stake.
A phrase meaning 'a life-or-death battle' or 'a fight to the death'.
それは生死を賭けた戦いだった。
It was a life-or-death struggle.
生死 (seishi) is the general term for life and death, used in medical, philosophical, or everyday serious contexts. 死活 (shikatsu) is more often used in business or organizational contexts to mean 'survival or ruin', as in 死活問題 (a matter of survival).
In casual conversation, directly saying 'life and death' can sound overly dramatic. Use phrases like 命に関わる (life-threatening) or 大変なこと (a serious matter) unless the context truly involves survival.
Literally 'a matter of life or death', often used for critical issues affecting survival or success, such as in business or politics.
この不況は会社にとって死活問題だ。
This recession is a matter of life and death for the company.
Means 'life-threatening' or 'involving one's life'. More direct than 生死に関わる, emphasizing danger to life.
その事故は命に関わる怪我を負った。
He suffered life-threatening injuries in the accident.
生死の境をさまよう。
To hover between life and death.
生死は紙一重だ。
Life and death are separated by a thin line.
Also means 'life and death', but with a slightly more literary or philosophical nuance, often used in titles or abstract discussions.
死生観
View of life and death
A more colloquial or emotional way to say 'life and death', often used in dramatic or personal contexts.
生き死にの問題だ。
It's a matter of life and death.
A noun meaning 'mortal combat' or 'desperate struggle', often used in sports or dramatic narratives.
両チームの死闘が続いた。
The two teams continued their desperate struggle.