Translation guide
The concept of life insurance in Japanese is expressed with specific terms, but the system and cultural context differ from Western countries.
To refer to life insurance as a financial product or concept.
The standard term for life insurance. Often abbreviated to 生保 (せいほ) in industry contexts.
生命保険に加入する。
I will take out life insurance.
生命保険の見直しを検討している。
I'm considering reviewing my life insurance.
Abbreviation of 生命保険, common in business or casual conversation.
生保の営業マンが来た。
A life insurance salesman came.
To specify different kinds of life insurance policies.
Term life insurance. Provides coverage for a specific period.
定期保険は掛け捨てが多い。
Term life insurance is often non-refundable.
To talk about the action of getting or possessing life insurance.
To join/enroll in life insurance. Common verb for taking out a policy.
若いうちに生命保険に入ったほうがいい。
It's better to get life insurance while you're young.
To take out life insurance (on someone). Often used when insuring a family member.
夫に生命保険をかけている。
I have life insurance on my husband.
Formal way to say 'to take out life insurance'.
新しく生命保険に加入する予定です。
I plan to take out a new life insurance policy.
To refer to the money received from a life insurance policy.
Insurance money/payout. General term for the benefit paid out.
保険金が下りるまで時間がかかった。
It took time for the insurance payout to come through.
Do not translate 'life insurance' word-for-word as 人生保険 (じんせいほけん). This is not a real term and will cause confusion.
In Japan, life insurance is often sold by door-to-door salespeople or through workplace group plans. The term 生保レディ (せいほレディ) refers to female insurance sales agents.
Whole life insurance. Coverage for the entire life of the insured.
終身保険は貯蓄性がある。
Whole life insurance has a savings component.
Endowment insurance. Pays out at maturity or upon death.
養老保険は満期時に保険金が下りる。
Endowment insurance pays out at maturity.
Variable life insurance. Investment component with variable returns.
変額保険はリスクが高い。
Variable life insurance carries high risk.
Death benefit. Specifically the payout upon death.
死亡保険金の受取人を指定する。
Designate the beneficiary of the death benefit.