Translation guide
A set of guiding principles or beliefs about how to live. In Japanese, this is often expressed through terms like 人生観, 人生哲学, or more specific cultural concepts.
A personal set of beliefs or attitudes about life and how to live it.
The most common and neutral term for one's outlook on life or view of life.
彼の人生観はとても前向きだ。
His philosophy of life is very positive.
旅行を通じて人生観が変わった。
My philosophy of life changed through traveling.
Literally 'life philosophy', often implies a more systematic or thought-out set of principles.
彼女は独自の人生哲学を持っている。
She has her own philosophy of life.
Way of living; often used when referring to the practical application of one's philosophy.
彼の生き方に共感する。
I sympathize with his philosophy of life.
A philosophy rooted in Japanese tradition or spirituality, such as ikigai or wabi-sabi.
A sense of purpose in life; what makes life worth living. Often translated as 'reason for being'.
仕事が彼の生きがいだ。
His work is his philosophy of life.
生きがいを見つけることが大切だ。
It's important to find a philosophy of life.
An aesthetic philosophy centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Not a direct translation, but a specific Japanese life philosophy.
A short statement that encapsulates one's approach to life.
A personal motto or favorite saying that guides one's life.
「一期一会」が私の座右の銘です。
'Once-in-a-lifetime encounter' is my philosophy of life.
Creed or belief; often used for a firmly held principle.
人生観 is a broader, more common term for one's outlook on life, while 人生哲学 implies a more structured or intellectual set of principles, similar to 'life philosophy' in English.
The direct translation '人生の哲学' is rarely used and sounds unnatural. Use 人生観 or 人生哲学 instead.
Wabi-sabi is a uniquely Japanese aesthetic philosophy of life.
正直が彼の信条だ。
Honesty is his philosophy of life.