Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'subsistence' in Japanese, covering minimal living, livelihood, and related concepts.
Describing a lifestyle where one barely has enough to survive, often with difficulty.
Literally 'living day by day', this is the most common way to express subsistence living, often with a nuance of hand-to-mouth existence.
He lives a hand-to-mouth existence.
A set phrase meaning 'barely scraping by' or 'not knowing where the next meal is coming from'. Emphasizes food insecurity.
They've been living a hand-to-mouth existence.
Self-sufficiency, often used in the context of subsistence farming or living off the land.
They lead a self-sufficient life.
A literary term for 'livelihood' or 'bare sustenance', often used in the phrase 糊口をしのぐ (to eke out a living).
He ekes out a living on a meager income.
Referring to the resources or activities that sustain life, often in a more neutral or formal context.
The standard word for 'livelihood' or 'means of living'. Used in phrases like 生計を立てる (to make a living).
He makes his living from fishing.
General word for 'life' or 'living', but can be used in contexts like 生活費 (living expenses) or 生活の糧 (means of subsistence).
A more everyday word for 'living' or 'livelihood', often with a nuance of daily life.
Specifically referring to an agricultural or economic system where people produce only enough for their own needs.
Referring to the bare minimum resources (food, money) required to stay alive.
Both mean hand-to-mouth living, but その日暮らし is more neutral and common, while 食うや食わず emphasizes extreme food insecurity and is slightly more dramatic.
Even living day by day, I'm happy.
The state of not knowing where the next meal is coming from continues.
The English word 'subsistence' is often translated literally as 生存 (survival) or 存在 (existence), but these sound unnatural in most contexts. Use the phrases above depending on the nuance.
生活の糧を得るために働く。
Work to earn a living.
They lead a relaxed life in the countryside.
The village depends on a subsistence economy.
Secure only the necessities for subsistence.