Translation guide
Expresses the entire duration of a person's life, from birth to death, or up to the present moment. Japanese uses several set phrases and adverbs, with nuances of lifelong commitment, continuous experience, or a one-time event.
Describing something that lasts for one's whole life, such as a job, a promise, or a condition.
The most common and versatile way to say 'all one's life'. Can be used for both past and future contexts.
彼は一生独身だった。
He remained single all his life.
一生忘れない。
I'll never forget it for the rest of my life.
More formal and literary than 一生. Often used in written language or to emphasize a lifelong career or achievement.
彼は生涯を教育に捧げた。
He devoted his whole life to education.
Emphatic combination of 一生 and 生涯, meaning 'one's entire lifetime'. Stronger and less common.
一生涯の思い出になるでしょう。
It will be a memory of a lifetime.
Emphasizing that something has been true for the speaker's entire life so far.
Literally 'ever since I was born'. Used with ongoing states or habits.
生まれてからずっとこの町に住んでいます。
I've lived in this town all my life.
Literally 'ever since I can remember'. More natural when talking about personal memories or awareness.
物心ついてからずっと猫が好きだ。
I've loved cats all my life (as long as I can remember).
Describing a unique or extremely rare experience that happens only once in a person's life.
Means 'once in a lifetime'. Often used for special opportunities or events.
一生に一度の経験だった。
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Literally 'one generation, one lifetime'. Emphasizes a grand, unrepeatable event, often used in dramatic contexts.
一世一代の大勝負に出た。
He staked everything on a once-in-a-lifetime gamble.
Expressing a desire that one has held for one's entire life.
Common phrase for 'lifelong dream'.
宇宙旅行が一生の夢です。
Space travel is my lifelong dream.
Literally 'a dream of many years'. Slightly less absolute than 一生の夢, but very natural.
長年の夢が叶った。
My lifelong dream came true.
一生 is the everyday word for 'all one's life'. 生涯 is more formal and often used in written language or to describe a person's life work. In casual speech, 一生 is preferred.
一生懸命働いた。
I worked hard all my life. (casual)
生涯を研究に捧げた。
He devoted his life to research. (formal)
English 'all one's life' often translates to 一生, but when emphasizing a continuous state from birth, use 生まれてからずっと. Saying 私の全ての人生 is unnatural.
生まれてからずっと東京に住んでいます。
I've lived in Tokyo all my life.
彼女は一生教師だった。
She has been a teacher all her life.
生まれてからずっと日本に行きたいと思っていた。
I've wanted to visit Japan all my life.
一生に一度のチャンスだった。
It was the chance of a lifetime.