Translation guide
Expresses the entire duration of a person's life, from birth to death, or a lifelong commitment. Japanese uses several nouns and adverbial phrases, with nuances of formality and perspective.
Describing something that lasts or happens over the entire course of a person's life.
The most common and versatile word for 'one's whole life'. Can be used as a noun or adverbially with に or を.
彼は一生を音楽に捧げた。
He devoted his whole life to music.
一生に一度の経験
a once-in-a-lifetime experience
Often used in formal or written contexts, emphasizing the span of one's career or public life. Can also mean 'lifetime' as a period.
彼は生涯を教育に尽くした。
He dedicated his life to education.
Literary or formal term for 'one's whole life', often used in solemn contexts like vows or memorials.
終生忘れない。
I will never forget it for the rest of my life.
Emphasizing the future duration from now until death.
Also used for 'the rest of one's life' when combined with future-oriented verbs.
一生幸せに暮らしました。
They lived happily ever after (for the rest of their lives).
Literally 'until death', a more direct and sometimes emotional way to say 'for the rest of one's life'.
死ぬまであなたを愛します。
I will love you until I die.
Refers to the remaining years of one's life, often after retirement or a major life event. Implies a quieter, reflective period.
Referring to something that is the only one in a person's life, or a defining feature of their existence.
Attributive form meaning 'of a lifetime', used with nouns like 思い出 (memory), 友達 (friend), 仕事 (work).
彼は一生の友達です。
He is a lifelong friend.
一生の思い出になった。
It became a memory of a lifetime.
Similar to 一生の but often used for achievements, partners, or works in formal contexts.
生涯の伴侶
a lifelong partner
一生 is the everyday word for 'whole life', used in casual and formal speech. 生涯 is more formal and often refers to one's career or public life span. 生涯 is common in biographies and official statements.
Avoid literal translations like '全体の人生'. Use the set phrases above. For 'my whole life', say 私の一生, not 私の全体の人生.
I want to spend the rest of my life in the countryside.