Translation guide
The English word "survivor" has several distinct meanings. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean someone who lived through a disaster, someone who copes with hardship, a person with a resilient personality, or a legal heir.
To refer to someone who remained alive after a life-threatening event such as a natural disaster, accident, or war.
The most direct and neutral translation for a person who survived a disaster or accident. Commonly used in news reports and official contexts.
地震の生存者はまだ救助を待っている。
The earthquake survivors are still waiting to be rescued.
生存者を捜索するために救助隊が派遣された。
A rescue team was dispatched to search for survivors.
A more colloquial term for someone who survived, often implying they outlasted others. Can carry a nuance of having endured against the odds.
彼はあの事故の唯一の生き残りだ。
He is the sole survivor of that accident.
Specifically refers to a person who has met with a disaster or accident, often in the context of being stranded or missing. Focuses on the victim aspect rather than survival.
山で遭難者が見つかった。
A survivor was found in the mountains.
To describe someone who has endured and continues to live after traumatic experiences like abuse, serious illness, or personal tragedy.
A loanword from English, widely used in Japanese to refer to survivors of abuse, violence, or illness. Carries a sense of empowerment and resilience.
彼女は虐待のサバイバーとして講演を行った。
She gave a lecture as a survivor of abuse.
がんサバイバーのための支援グループがあります。
There is a support group for cancer survivors.
Means 'person who has experienced something.' Often used in contexts like illness or disaster, but less specific than 'survivor.' Can be combined with the event, e.g., 被災体験者 (disaster survivor).
Literally 'overcomer.' Used for someone who has overcome a disease or hardship, but less common than サバイバー.
彼はがん克服者として多くの人に希望を与えている。
As a cancer survivor, he gives hope to many people.
To describe someone who always manages to get through difficulties, often with a connotation of toughness or resourcefulness.
Literally 'a person who is strong against being hit.' Describes someone who is resilient and can bounce back from setbacks. Very natural in conversation.
彼女は本当に打たれ強い人だね。何があっても立ち直る。
She's a real survivor, isn't she? She bounces back no matter what happens.
Means a tough, robust, or resourceful person. Implies both physical and mental strength. Often used positively.
彼はどんな環境でも生き抜く、たくましい人だ。
He's a survivor who can get through any environment.
Means a tenacious or stubborn person. Can be slightly negative, implying they are hard to get rid of, but also used admiringly for someone who never gives up.
あいつはしぶといから、きっとまた成功するよ。
That guy is a survivor; I'm sure he'll succeed again.
In legal contexts, a survivor may refer to a person who outlives another and has rights to property or title.
The standard legal term for an heir or inheritor. Used in wills, estates, and inheritance law.
彼は父親の遺産の唯一の相続人だった。
He was the sole survivor (heir) of his father's estate.
Refers to the bereaved family or surviving family members of a deceased person. Not exactly 'heir,' but often used in contexts of survivors' benefits.
生存者 is the standard Japanese word for a person who survived a disaster or accident. サバイバー is a loanword that has taken on a more specific meaning of someone who has overcome personal trauma, illness, or abuse, and often implies empowerment. Using 生存者 for an abuse survivor might sound clinical or miss the nuance of resilience.
When describing someone as 'a survivor' in the sense of a resilient personality, do not use 生存者 or サバイバー. Instead, use phrases like 打たれ強い人 or たくましい人. Saying 彼は生存者だ would mean 'He is a person who survived (an accident),' not 'He has a survivor personality.'
A meeting was held to hear stories from disaster survivors.
Compensation was paid to the survivors (bereaved family) of the accident.