Translation guide
The English word 'vicissitudes' refers to the changes and ups and downs of life, often implying hardship or unpredictability. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns describing life's changes, set phrases, and idiomatic expressions. The most natural way to convey the idea depends on context: whether you're speaking philosophically, describing personal struggles, or using a common saying.
To refer to the natural alternation between good and bad times in life, often with a sense of impermanence.
Literally 'floating and sinking', this is the most common and natural way to express life's ups and downs. It can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
Life is full of ups and downs.
He has experienced many vicissitudes over the years.
A four-character compound meaning 'flourishing and declining, prosperity and decay'. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of rise and fall, often used in historical or literary contexts.
The rise and fall of fortunes is the way of the world.
A shorter form of 栄枯盛衰, meaning 'rise and fall' or 'vicissitudes'. It is slightly more formal and often used in written language.
The vicissitudes of a nation are entrusted to its people.
Means 'changes' or 'transitions' over time. It is more neutral and often used for historical or social changes rather than personal ups and downs.
Values change with the vicissitudes of the times.
To emphasize the difficult or painful aspects of life's changes, often with a sense of enduring through them.
Means 'hardships' or 'privations'. It focuses on the suffering aspect of vicissitudes and is commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese.
He overcame many vicissitudes and succeeded.
Means 'suffering' or 'trials'. It is slightly more intense than 辛苦 and often used in contexts of great adversity.
To express the philosophical idea that all things are transient, often with a Buddhist or poetic nuance.
A Buddhist term meaning 'impermanence'. It captures the essence of vicissitudes as the transient nature of all things. Commonly used in literature and everyday expressions.
All things are impermanent. (A famous Buddhist phrase)
浮き沈み is the most versatile and commonly used term for life's ups and downs. 栄枯盛衰 is more literary and emphasizes the cyclical nature of rise and fall, often applied to nations, organizations, or historical figures rather than personal daily life.
The English word 'vicissitudes' is relatively formal and literary. In Japanese, using overly formal equivalents like 変遷 in casual conversation can sound unnatural. Choose the term that matches the context and register.
To overcome the vicissitudes of life.
A four-character compound meaning 'trials and tribulations'. It is emphatic and somewhat literary, often used in motivational contexts.
People grow only by overcoming vicissitudes.
To feel the vicissitudes of life.
A set Buddhist phrase meaning 'all worldly things are transient'. It is often quoted to express the inevitability of change.
The law of impermanence: the prosperous must decline.