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.
タバコは寿命を縮める。
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.
心配事が彼の命を縮めた。
Worries shortened his life.
Literally 'to make short-lived'. More formal or written, often used in medical or statistical contexts.
肥満は人を短命にする要因だ。
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.
そんな生活を続けたら、自ら寿命を縮めることになるよ。
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.
睡眠不足は自分の首を絞めるようなものだ。
Lack of sleep is like choking yourself (shortening your life).
Describing the outcome of a shortened life, i.e., dying earlier than expected.
The most direct way to say 'to die young' or 'to die early'. Often used as a warning.
そんなに働いたら早死にするよ。
If you work that much, you'll die young.
Literary/formal term for dying young, often used for talented people who die prematurely. Not for everyday conversation.
彼は若くして夭折した。
He died young (prematurely).
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.
喫煙は寿命を縮める。
Smoking shortens lifespan.
悲しみが彼女の命を縮めた。
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.
過労は寿命を縮めることがある。
Overwork can shorten your life.
彼は心配しすぎて寿命を縮めている。
He worries so much that it's shortening his life.