Translation guide
The English verb 'revive' covers bringing back to life, restoring energy, renewing interest, and reusing old things. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being revived and how.
To revive a person or animal from death, unconsciousness, or near-death.
Medical/emergency term for resuscitating someone. Often used in CPR contexts.
医師は心停止の患者を蘇生させた。
The doctor revived the patient in cardiac arrest.
Literally 'make come back to life'. More general, can be used in non-medical contexts (e.g., magic, fantasy).
その魔法使いは死者を生き返らせた。
The wizard revived the dead.
Intransitive: 'to be revived' or 'come back to life'. Use this when the subject itself revives.
春になると自然が蘇る。
Nature revives in spring.
To make someone feel lively, energetic, or refreshed again after tiredness or illness.
Common phrase meaning 'make someone feel better/energetic'. Natural for everyday situations.
温かいスープが彼女を元気にした。
The hot soup revived her.
More formal, 'restore' or 'help recover'. Used for health or strength.
十分な睡眠が体力を回復させる。
Adequate sleep revives your strength.
Loanword 'refresh'. Often used for mental refreshment or a change of pace.
散歩が気分をリフレッシュさせた。
The walk revived my spirits.
To bring back interest, popularity, or activity in something that had declined.
Broadly 'revive' for trends, events, organizations. Very common.
その映画が彼のキャリアを復活させた。
The movie revived his career.
Literally 'reignite'. Used for passions, debates, or conflicts.
その事件が議論を再燃させた。
The incident revived the debate.
To revive an old practice, festival, or way of doing things.
Same word as above, also natural for traditions.
地元の人々が古い祭りを復活させた。
The locals revived the old festival.
Formal/literary: 'restore' or 'revive' a tradition or institution.
彼らは伝統工芸の再興を目指している。
They aim to revive traditional crafts.
To start using something again, such as an old idea, style, or object.
Again, the versatile 'revive' for plans, fashions, etc.
そのデザイナーは80年代のスタイルを復活させた。
The designer revived 80s styles.
Specifically 'reuse' or 'recycle'. More concrete than 'revive'.
古い家具を再利用して新しい命を吹き込んだ。
They revived old furniture by reusing it.
復活 (ふっかつ) is for abstract or organizational revival (trends, events, careers). 蘇生 (そせい) is strictly for medical/life revival. Don't use 蘇生 for a fashion trend.
昭和レトロが復活している。
Showa retro is being revived.
救急隊が溺水者を蘇生させた。
The paramedics revived the drowning victim.
English 'revive' is often used metaphorically. In Japanese, it's often more natural to use specific verbs like 回復する (recover), 元気になる (become energetic), or 再開する (resume).
この古い伝統を復活させられますか？
Can we revive this old tradition?
Idiom: 'breathe life back into'. Used for businesses, projects, etc.
新社長が会社に息を吹き返した。
The new president revived the company.