Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to a 'living person' often depends on context. The most direct translation is 生きている人, but other expressions are used in specific situations like news, legal contexts, or when emphasizing existence.
I like hearing stories from living people.
Means 'survivor' or 'living person', often used in contexts of accidents, disasters, or when contrasting with the deceased.
The survivors of the accident were taken to the hospital.
Used in formal or legal contexts to indicate that a person is still alive, often in contrast to being deceased.
That author is a living person.
To stress that a person is alive and present, often in contrast to being dead or absent.
Uses '人間' (human) instead of '人' (person), adding a slightly more emphatic or philosophical tone about being a living human.
He asserted his rights as a living person.
Similar to 生きている人間 but uses the past tense form of the verb, which can sound more literary or emphatic.
To specify that a person involved in an incident is alive, often used in journalism.
Common in news reports to refer to a living person, especially when their identity is known or being investigated.
The police are looking for a living person.
To refer to a living person in legal documents, inheritance, or official records.
As above, but specifically in legal contexts like inheritance or insurance, where 'survivor' or 'living person' is a defined term.
The inheritance is distributed to the living persons (survivors).
Similar to 存命の人, emphasizing the state of being alive, often used in formal announcements or records.
While 生きている人 is correct, in casual conversation Japanese speakers often simply use 人 (person) or the person's name, as the context usually makes it clear they are alive. Overusing 'living person' can sound unnatural.
That person is still doing well (implying they are alive).
生きている is the standard present progressive form meaning 'is living/alive'. 生きた is the past tense used attributively, often implying 'living' in a more vivid or literary sense. In most cases, 生きている人 is preferred for 'living person'.
He was so cold that he didn't seem like a living person.
Consent of the living person is required.
I feel scared to death (lit. I don't feel like I'm alive)