Translation guide
Expresses the idea that something reduces lifespan or causes premature death. In Japanese, this is often conveyed through set phrases or verbs meaning 'to shorten life', with nuances depending on whether the cause is a habit, stress, or a specific action.
Expressing that something generally shortens life, often due to lifestyle, stress, or worry.
The most common and natural way to say 'shorten one's life'. Literally 'to shrink one's lifespan'. Used for habits, stress, overwork, etc.
Smoking shortens your life.
Stress can be a cause of shortened lifespan.
Similar to 寿命を縮める, but uses 命 (life) instead of 寿命 (lifespan). Slightly more emotional or dramatic.
Worries shortened his life.
Literally 'to make short-lived'. More formal or written, often used in medical or statistical contexts.
Obesity is a factor that shortens people's lives.
Emphasizing that a person's own behavior or choice directly leads to a shorter life.
Adding 自ら (oneself) makes it clear the person is doing it to themselves. Common in warnings.
If you keep living like that, you'll be shortening your own life.
Idiom meaning 'to choke oneself', used figuratively for self-destructive behavior that ruins one's prospects or health, not necessarily literal death. Can imply shortening life indirectly.
More about ruining one's situation than strictly shortening lifespan, but often used in health contexts.
Describing the outcome of a shortened life, i.e., dying earlier than expected.
寿命 (lifespan) is more objective and common in health contexts. 命 (life) carries a slightly heavier, emotional tone. Both are natural, but 寿命を縮める is the default choice.
Smoking shortens lifespan.
Sorrow shortened her life.
Avoid directly translating 'shorten' as 短くする (みじかくする) with 人生 (じんせい) or 命. It sounds unnatural. Use the set phrases above.
Overwork can shorten your life.
He worries so much that it's shortening his life.
Lack of sleep is like choking yourself (shortening your life).