Translation guide
The concept of continuing to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions. This guide covers how to express 'survival' in Japanese, from literal life-and-death situations to metaphorical persistence.
The state or act of continuing to live, especially after a dangerous event or in harsh conditions.
The most direct and common word for 'survival' as a biological or factual state of being alive. Used in news, reports, and formal contexts.
彼の生存が確認された。
His survival was confirmed.
生存者はいませんでした。
There were no survivors.
Emphasizes 'remaining alive' after others have died. Often used for survivors of disasters or battles. Can also mean 'sole survivor'.
彼は震災の生き残りだ。
He is a survivor of the earthquake disaster.
Loanword from English, used mainly in compound terms like 'survival game' or 'survival knife'. Not used for general survival.
週末にサバイバルゲームをした。
We played a survival game on the weekend.
The knowledge and techniques needed to stay alive in the wild or in emergency situations.
Literally 'survival techniques'. The standard term for survival skills.
彼は生存術に詳しい。
He is knowledgeable about survival skills.
Uses the loanword 'survival' plus 'technique'. Common in media and casual contexts.
サバイバル術を学ぶ。
Learn survival skills.
The continued existence of something non-living, such as a custom, organization, or idea.
Means 'continued existence' or 'survival' of institutions, traditions, etc. Often used in formal contexts.
その伝統の存続が危ぶまれている。
The survival of that tradition is in danger.
Can also be used figuratively for businesses or groups that survive competition.
The evolutionary concept where only the best-adapted organisms survive.
The standard translation of 'survival of the fittest'. Used in biology and sometimes metaphorically.
適者生存は自然の法則だ。
Survival of the fittest is a law of nature.
The loanword サバイバル is not a general translation for 'survival'. It is mainly used in specific compounds like サバイバルゲーム (survival game) or サバイバルナイフ (survival knife). For the concept of staying alive, use 生存 or 生き残り.
中小企業の生き残りは厳しい。
The survival of small and medium-sized enterprises is tough.
Literally 'the weak are meat, the strong eat'. A common idiom for the law of the jungle or ruthless competition, often used instead of 'survival of the fittest' in everyday speech.
この業界は弱肉強食だ。
This industry is survival of the fittest.