Translation guide
The English word "live" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers how to express each in Japanese, from residing somewhere to being alive, and from live broadcasts to living life to the fullest.
To live in a place, to reside, to dwell.
The most common verb for living somewhere. Used for long-term residence.
私は東京に住んでいます。
I live in Tokyo.
彼は田舎に住みたいと言っている。
He says he wants to live in the countryside.
Emphasizes daily life and lifestyle, not just the location. Often used for how one lives.
Means 'to live' in the sense of making a living, carrying out daily activities. More formal.
都会で生活するのは大変だ。
Living in the city is tough.
Formal, often used in official documents or legal contexts.
この地域に居住する外国人は増えている。
The number of foreigners residing in this area is increasing.
To be alive, to exist, to not be dead.
The basic verb for 'to live' as opposed to dying. Also used metaphorically.
Broadcast or performed in real time, not recorded.
A performance done in front of an audience, not recorded.
Used for concerts, comedy shows, etc. Can be a noun or used adjectivally.
To experience life in a certain way, to live life to the fullest.
Literally 'to live life'. Used for living one's life meaningfully.
自分らしく人生を生きたい。
I want to live life my own way.
To share a living space with someone.
The most straightforward way to say 'live with someone'.
彼氏と一緒に住んでいます。
I live with my boyfriend.
To continue to exist or be remembered after death or an event.
To continue living, often used for memories, legacies, or spirits.
彼の思い出は私たちの心の中で生き続ける。
His memory lives on in our hearts.
To enjoy oneself in a lively, extravagant way.
住む focuses on the physical location of residence. 暮らす emphasizes the lifestyle and daily activities associated with living somewhere. 生活する is more about the act of making a living and carrying out daily life, often used in more abstract or formal contexts.
東京に住んでいるが、田舎で暮らしたい。
I live in Tokyo, but I want to live (a quiet life) in the countryside.
住む means to reside, while 生きる means to be alive. Using 住む when you mean 'to be alive' is a common mistake. For example, 'I want to live' as in 'I want to stay alive' is 生きたい, not 住みたい.
どこに住んでいますか？
Where do you live?
海外に住みたい。
I want to live abroad.
She lives quietly by herself.
彼は百歳まで生きた。
He lived to be 100 years old.
生きているうちにやりたいことがたくさんある。
There are many things I want to do while I'm alive.
Means 'to survive' or 'to be alive', often in contexts of danger or statistics.
事故の後、彼は奇跡的に生存した。
After the accident, he miraculously survived.
A noun meaning 'being alive', used in formal contexts like obituaries or records.
彼の祖父はまだご存命です。
His grandfather is still alive.
Refers to a live broadcast on TV or radio.
その番組は生放送です。
The program is live.
Commonly used for live music performances or streaming. Also used as a prefix.
今夜ライブがあります。
There's a live show tonight.
ライブ配信を見る。
Watch a live stream.
Prefix meaning 'live' or 'raw'. Used in compounds like 生中継 (live broadcast).
生中継で試合を見た。
I watched the game live.
彼のライブは最高だった。
His live performance was amazing.
Means 'live demonstration' or 'performance', often for product demos or stage acts.
料理の実演を見る。
Watch a live cooking demonstration.
Means 'to lead a life', focusing on daily routines and lifestyle.
健康的な生活を送る。
Live a healthy life.
To live through hardships, to survive and persevere.
戦争を生き抜いた人々。
People who lived through the war.
Formal term for cohabitation, often used in legal or official contexts.
親と同居しています。
I live with my parents.
Means 'to remain', often used for traditions or influences that live on.
その伝統は今も残っている。
That tradition still lives on.
General verb for 'enjoy'. Can be used in contexts of living it up.
今夜は思いっきり楽しもう！
Let's live it up tonight!
Idiom meaning 'to let loose', 'to go wild', similar to living it up.
たまには羽目を外してもいいよね。
It's okay to live it up once in a while.