Translation guide
The state or fact of being alive, existing as a living being. In Japanese, this concept is often expressed through verbs like 生きる (to live) and nouns like 生命 (life) or 生存 (existence/survival). The most natural translation depends on context: whether you're talking about the act of living, the state of being alive, or the abstract concept of life.
being alive
Most common and natural translation for general use.
Expressing the condition of being alive, as opposed to being dead or inanimate.
A common, natural way to express 'being alive' as a noun phrase. Literally 'the fact of living/being alive'. Used in everyday speech and writing.
I feel the wonder of being alive.
He is grateful for being alive.
Means 'existence' or 'survival', often used in formal, technical, or emergency contexts. Can sound stiff in casual conversation.
Refers to 'life' as a biological or spiritual phenomenon. Can be used for 'being alive' in abstract or philosophical discussions, but is broader than just the state of an individual.
Focusing on the ongoing experience of life, the act of living day to day.
The nominalized form of 生きる (to live). Emphasizes the act or process of living. Very common and natural.
Emphasizing the simple fact of not being dead, often in survival or medical contexts.
The te-iru form of 生きる, meaning 'is alive'. Used as a predicate adjective. The most direct way to say someone or something is alive.
Expressing a subjective sense of vitality, aliveness, or being fully present.
Literally 'the real feeling of being alive'. A common phrase for the sensation of vitality.
生きていること is the everyday expression for 'being alive'. 生存 is more formal and often used in contexts like disaster survival, biology, or law. Use 生きていること for personal, emotional, or casual statements.
Being alive is what matters.
生存が確認された。
Survival was confirmed.
The minimum conditions for being alive.
生命の神秘について考える。
I think about the mystery of being alive.
I'm searching for the meaning of being alive.
Being alive is sometimes painful.
Means 'life' in the sense of one's lifetime or human existence. Often used when talking about the quality or course of being alive.
Being alive is short. / Life is short.
He is still alive.
Miraculously, I am alive.
Formal version of 'is alive', often used in news reports or official statements.
All passengers are alive.
Skydiving gave me a real sense of being alive.
Means 'vitality' or 'life force'. Can be used in phrases like 生気を感じる (to feel alive), but is somewhat literary.
His paintings lack a sense of being alive.
生存率は低い。
The survival rate is low.
生命 (seimei) means 'life' as a concept or phenomenon. Saying 私の生命 (my life) can sound overly dramatic or biological. For 'my being alive', use 私が生きていること or simply 生きている.
What is the meaning of my being alive?