Translation guide
The concept of 'one's life' in Japanese is expressed through several words that emphasize different aspects: the physical life force (命), the span of a lifetime (人生), daily living (生活), and existence itself (生命). The choice depends on whether you're talking about life as a journey, a biological fact, a lifestyle, or a precious thing to protect.
Referring to the entire span of a person's existence, their life story, career, or the journey from birth to death.
The most common and neutral word for 'one's life' as a whole. It encompasses all experiences, events, and the passage of time from birth to death.
人生は短い。
Life is short.
彼は幸せな人生を送った。
He lived a happy life.
人生で一番大切なものは何ですか？
What is the most important thing in life?
Emphasizes the entire duration of one's life, often used in formal or literary contexts, or when talking about a lifelong commitment or achievement.
彼は生涯を教育に捧げた。
He devoted his life to education.
生涯の友
a lifelong friend
Literally 'one lifetime', often used in expressions like 'once in a lifetime' or 'for the rest of one's life'. More colloquial than 生涯.
Referring to the vital force that keeps a person alive, often in contexts of danger, mortality, or the preciousness of existence.
The most direct word for 'life' as a force or entity. It carries emotional weight and is used when talking about risking, saving, or losing one's life.
命を大切にしてください。
Please value your life.
彼は命をかけて子供を救った。
He risked his life to save the child.
命の恩人
the person who saved one's life
A more scientific or abstract term for 'life', often used in biological, philosophical, or formal contexts. Less personal than 命.
Referring to the routine, conditions, and activities of daily life, including work, home, and social habits.
Focuses on the practical aspects of living: how one spends their days, their standard of living, or their daily routine.
健康的な生活を送りたい。
I want to live a healthy life.
生活費が高い。
The cost of living is high.
田舎での生活はのんびりしている。
Life in the countryside is relaxed.
A warmer, more personal word for daily life, often implying a sense of lifestyle, comfort, and the way one makes a living. Common in phrases about simple or happy living.
Emphasizing that the life belongs to a specific person, often in reflective or possessive phrases.
The standard way to say 'one's own life' when referring to the course of one's life. 自分 means 'oneself'.
自分の人生を生きたい。
I want to live my own life.
それは自分の人生の選択だ。
That's a choice in my own life.
Used when talking about one's own life as a physical entity, especially in contexts of self-preservation or sacrifice.
自分の命を守る。
Protect one's own life.
These three words cover most uses of 'one's life'. 人生 (jinsei) is the big-picture life story; 生活 (seikatsu) is daily living and routines; 命 (inochi) is the physical life force. Saying 生活は短い (seikatsu wa mijikai) would mean 'daily life is short', which is odd; use 人生は短い (jinsei wa mijikai) for 'life is short'.
English uses 'life' in many idiomatic ways that don't map directly to Japanese. For example, 'get a life' or 'that's life' have no direct equivalent. 'That's life' can be expressed as 人生そんなものだ (jinsei sonna mono da) or しょうがない (shou ga nai), but it's not a word-for-word translation.
彼は私の命を救ってくれた。
He saved my life.
静かな生活を送りたい。
I want to live a quiet life.
人生は驚きに満ちている。
Life is full of surprises.
生命の起源
the origin of life
生命保険
life insurance
I long for a life in the countryside.
日々の暮らしを楽しむ。
Enjoy everyday life.