Translation guide
The concept of 'one's life' in Japanese is expressed through several words that emphasize different aspects: the physical life force (命), the span of a lifetime (人生), daily living (生活), and existence itself (生命). The choice depends on whether you're talking about life as a journey, a biological fact, a lifestyle, or a precious thing to protect.
Referring to the entire span of a person's existence, their life story, career, or the journey from birth to death.
The most common and neutral word for 'one's life' as a whole. It encompasses all experiences, events, and the passage of time from birth to death.
Life is short.
He lived a happy life.
What is the most important thing in life?
Emphasizes the entire duration of one's life, often used in formal or literary contexts, or when talking about a lifelong commitment or achievement.
He devoted his life to education.
a lifelong friend
Literally 'one lifetime', often used in expressions like 'once in a lifetime' or 'for the rest of one's life'. More colloquial than 生涯.
Referring to the vital force that keeps a person alive, often in contexts of danger, mortality, or the preciousness of existence.
The most direct word for 'life' as a force or entity. It carries emotional weight and is used when talking about risking, saving, or losing one's life.
Please value your life.
A more scientific or abstract term for 'life', often used in biological, philosophical, or formal contexts. Less personal than 命.
Referring to the routine, conditions, and activities of daily life, including work, home, and social habits.
Focuses on the practical aspects of living: how one spends their days, their standard of living, or their daily routine.
I want to live a healthy life.
A warmer, more personal word for daily life, often implying a sense of lifestyle, comfort, and the way one makes a living. Common in phrases about simple or happy living.
Emphasizing that the life belongs to a specific person, often in reflective or possessive phrases.
The standard way to say 'one's own life' when referring to the course of one's life. 自分 means 'oneself'.
I want to live my own life.
That's a choice in my own life.
Used when talking about one's own life as a physical entity, especially in contexts of self-preservation or sacrifice.
Protect one's own life.
These three words cover most uses of 'one's life'. 人生 (jinsei) is the big-picture life story; 生活 (seikatsu) is daily living and routines; 命 (inochi) is the physical life force. Saying 生活は短い (seikatsu wa mijikai) would mean 'daily life is short', which is odd; use 人生は短い (jinsei wa mijikai) for 'life is short'.
English uses 'life' in many idiomatic ways that don't map directly to Japanese. For example, 'get a life' or 'that's life' have no direct equivalent. 'That's life' can be expressed as 人生そんなものだ (jinsei sonna mono da) or しょうがない (shou ga nai), but it's not a word-for-word translation.
He saved my life.
I want to live a quiet life.
Life is full of surprises.
He risked his life to save the child.
the person who saved one's life
生命の起源
the origin of life
life insurance
The cost of living is high.
Life in the countryside is relaxed.
I long for a life in the countryside.
Enjoy everyday life.