Translation guide
The vital energy or essence that animates living beings. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through several terms rooted in traditional philosophy, medicine, and everyday language.
The fundamental energy that flows through all living things, often associated with health, martial arts, and spiritual practices.
The most common and versatile term for life force, energy, or spirit. Used in contexts from traditional Chinese medicine to everyday expressions about mood and atmosphere.
気の流れが悪いと病気になる。
If the flow of ki is poor, you get sick.
He has a strong life force / strong spirit.
A more modern, scientific-sounding term literally meaning 'life energy'. Used in New Age or holistic health contexts.
Please tell me how to increase my life force energy.
Borrowed from Sanskrit, used specifically in yoga and Ayurvedic contexts to refer to the life force (prana).
Control prana through yoga.
The physical or mental energy that makes someone lively and active.
Refers to vitality, energy, or vigor. Commonly used in daily life to describe a person's liveliness.
He is full of life force / vitality.
Literally 'life energy', often used to describe the lively look in someone's face or demeanor. Slightly more literary than 活力.
Life force in the sense of the power to live, resilience, or vital strength. Often used for plants, animals, or people overcoming hardship.
The non-physical essence of a person, sometimes considered immortal.
Soul or spirit. The core spiritual essence of a person. Often used in religious or philosophical contexts.
I felt like my life force / soul was leaving my body.
Spirit or ghost, but can also refer to the spiritual essence or life force in some contexts, especially in Shinto or animistic beliefs.
The energy that pervades the universe and connects all things.
Literally 'cosmic energy'. Used in New Age or spiritual contexts to describe a universal life force.
A meditation method to take in cosmic life force.
気 (ki) is the broadest term, covering everything from mood to spiritual energy. 活力 (katsuryoku) is specifically about physical/mental vigor. 生命力 (seimeiryoku) emphasizes the power to live and endure. Use 気 for traditional Eastern concepts, 活力 for everyday vitality, and 生命力 for resilience.
In everyday conversation, saying 生命エネルギー or 生命力 might sound overly dramatic or technical. Often, 元気 (genki, energy/health) or 気力 (kiryoku, willpower/energy) are more natural choices depending on context.
I feel life force welling up from the morning.
His face is brimming with life force.
This plant has amazing life force.
A life force / spirit dwells in all things.