Translation guide
Expressing that someone is in the process of dying, near death, or in a critical condition. Japanese uses different verbs and expressions depending on whether the focus is on the physical process, the imminent state, or a figurative sense.
My grandfather is dying in the hospital.
Means 'looks like (someone) is going to die' or 'seems to be dying'. Used when observing signs of imminent death.
That bird looks like it's dying.
A noun meaning 'on the verge of death' or 'moribund'. Often used in medical or dramatic contexts. Can be used with の or 状態.
He is in a dying state.
A euphemistic phrase meaning 'to breathe one's last', i.e., to die. It describes the moment of death rather than the process of dying.
My grandmother passed away peacefully.
To express a strong desire or need for something, often humorously or dramatically, like 'I'm dying for a drink'.
Attach to the stem of a verb to mean 'I can't help but want to...', 'I'm dying to...'. Very common for expressing strong desires.
I'm dying for a drink of water.
Literally 'I'm so (adjective) I could die'. Used for extreme states like hunger, tiredness, or embarrassment.
Similar to 〜たくてたまらない but slightly more formal/literary. Expresses an uncontrollable feeling.
I'm dying to see him.
To say 'I'm dying of laughter' or that something is so funny it's killing you.
Literally 'to die laughing'. Used when something is extremely funny. Often used in the potential form or as an exaggeration.
I almost died laughing watching that video.
Idiom meaning 'to split one's sides laughing'. Describes laughing so hard your stomach twists.
I was dying laughing at his joke.
To express extreme embarrassment, as in 'I wanted to die'.
Directly translates to 'I'm so embarrassed I could die'. Common in casual speech.
I tripped in front of everyone and was dying of embarrassment.
English 'be dying' is often figurative. Japanese uses specific patterns like 〜たくてたまらない or 〜て死にそうだ. Directly translating 'I'm dying' as 死んでいる means 'I am dead', not 'I am dying'.
I am dead (not dying).
死にかけている focuses on the ongoing process of dying (e.g., a patient in critical condition). 死にそうだ focuses on the appearance or likelihood of imminent death (e.g., an injured animal). In many contexts they overlap, but 死にそうだ is more subjective.
He is dying of cancer. (process)
He looks like he's dying. (appearance)
I'm so hungry I could die.
Idiom meaning 'I wish I could sink into the ground'. Expresses a desire to disappear from shame.
After that mistake, I'm dying of embarrassment.