Translation guide
The concept of death in Japanese can be expressed through various nouns, verbs, and euphemisms. The most common and neutral term is 死 (し), but the appropriate word depends heavily on context, formality, and whether you are referring to the event, the state, or a specific person's passing.
Referring to death in an abstract, philosophical, or general sense.
The most basic and common word for 'death'. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but may sound blunt or direct in sensitive situations.
Death comes to everyone.
彼は死を恐れていない。
He is not afraid of death.
A formal, often clinical term for death, commonly used in official documents, news reports, and statistics.
事故による死亡が増加している。
Deaths due to accidents are increasing.
Describing the moment or process of someone's death, often with sensitivity.
The standard verb 'to die'. It is direct and can be considered blunt or insensitive when referring to people, especially in polite conversation. Often replaced by euphemisms.
Can sound harsh or insensitive when talking about someone's death. Use euphemisms in polite or formal settings.
彼は昨日死んだ。
He died yesterday.
A polite and common euphemism for 'to die', literally 'to be gone'. It is the standard respectful way to say someone has passed away.
A very formal and respectful term for passing away, often used in obituaries or formal announcements.
彼は逝去されました。
He has passed away. (very formal)
A formal euphemism meaning 'to pass to the next world'. Used in respectful contexts.
父は先月他界いたしました。
My father passed away last month. (formal)
Specifying how someone died, often in news or reports.
Cause of death. Used in medical, legal, and news contexts.
死因は心不全だった。
The cause of death was heart failure.
Pattern to say 'die of/from ~'. Use で after the cause.
彼は癌で死んだ。
He died of cancer.
Referring to individual instances of death, often in statistics or news.
The deceased; fatalities. Used to count people who have died, especially in accidents or disasters.
地震で多くの死者が出た。
The earthquake caused many deaths.
A more formal synonym for 死者, also meaning fatalities or the deceased.
Using 'death' metaphorically or in set phrases.
Literally 'to the point of dying', used as an intensifier meaning 'extremely' or 'to death'.
死ぬほど疲れた。
I'm dead tired.
死ぬほど恥ずかしい。
I'm so embarrassed I could die.
Life and death. Used in contexts like 'a matter of life and death'.
それは生死に関わる問題だ。
It's a matter of life and death.
When speaking about a person's death, using 死ぬ can be perceived as cold or insensitive. In most polite conversations, news, or when expressing condolences, use 亡くなる or other euphemisms. 死ぬ is acceptable in casual talk among close friends or when referring to animals, but even then, sensitivity is advised.
死 is the general concept of death, while 死亡 is more formal and often used in official contexts (death certificates, statistics). 死 can be used in everyday language, but 死亡 is rarely used in casual speech.
死が怖い。
I'm scared of death.
彼女は安らかに亡くなった。
She passed away peacefully.
死者数は50人に上った。
The death toll rose to 50.
祖父は去年亡くなりました。
My grandfather passed away last year.
The death toll exceeded 100.