Translation guide
Refers to the afterlife, the world after death, or a future existence. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various terms with different religious and cultural nuances, ranging from Buddhist and Shinto ideas to more general notions of heaven or the hereafter.
Expressing the concept of an existence after death in a general sense, without strong religious connotation.
The most common and neutral term for 'the next world' or 'afterlife', used in both religious and secular contexts.
彼は来世を信じている。
He believes in the next world.
Literally 'that world', a very common and slightly more colloquial term for the afterlife, often used in everyday speech.
祖母はあの世へ旅立った。
My grandmother departed for the next world.
A more formal or literary term for the afterlife, often used in Buddhist contexts.
後世の安楽を願う。
I pray for peace in the next world.
Referring specifically to a heavenly realm, often in a Christian or Western cultural context.
The standard word for 'heaven' in Christian and general contexts. It can also be used metaphorically for a blissful place.
彼は天国へ行った。
He went to heaven.
Originally a Buddhist term for the Pure Land (paradise of Amida Buddha), but often used colloquially to mean 'paradise' or a state of bliss.
Specifically referring to the Buddhist concept of the Pure Land, the realm of Amida Buddha where believers aspire to be reborn.
The Buddhist term for the Pure Land, a transcendent realm free from suffering. Often used in the phrase '極楽浄土' (Gokuraku Jōdo).
彼は浄土に往生した。
He was reborn in the Pure Land.
Emphasizing the idea of being reborn into another life, often in a cycle of reincarnation.
Specifically means 'next life' or 'future existence', often used in Buddhist discussions of rebirth.
来生では幸せになりたい。
I want to be happy in the next life.
A Buddhist term for the next life or future existence, often used in the context of karma and rebirth.
後生を願って善行を積む。
I do good deeds hoping for a better next life.
Referring to the land of the dead in Japanese mythology or folk religion, often a shadowy or gloomy place.
The Shinto underworld, land of the dead. Often appears in mythology and classical literature.
イザナミは黄泉の国へ行った。
Izanami went to the land of the dead.
The full phrase for 'the land of Yomi', the underworld in Shinto mythology.
来世 (raise) is a neutral, somewhat formal term for the afterlife. あの世 (ano yo) is more colloquial and commonly used in everyday speech, often with a sense of familiarity. 天国 (tengoku) specifically means 'heaven' and is used in Christian contexts or metaphorically for a blissful place. Choose based on the nuance you want to convey.
While '次の世界' (tsugi no sekai) is a literal translation, it is not idiomatic in Japanese for the afterlife. It would be understood as 'the next world' in a science fiction or fantasy context (e.g., the next planet or dimension), not the afterlife. Use the terms listed above instead.
ここは極楽だね。
This is paradise, isn't it?
The full term for the Pure Land of Amida Buddha, often used in prayers and chants.
極楽浄土に生まれ変わりたい。
I want to be reborn in the Pure Land.
黄泉の国から戻ることはできない。
One cannot return from the underworld.