ichidan verb, intransitive verb
Core meaning: to be alive, to exist as a living being. Used for people, animals, and sometimes metaphorically for things that endure.
祖母は100歳まで生きた。
My grandmother lived to be 100.
この木は何百年も生きて
This tree has been alive for hundreds of years.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
make a living; subsist; get by
Focuses on earning a livelihood or sustaining oneself financially. Often used with ～で (by means of) or ～に (on).
彼は小説を書いて生きている。
He makes a living writing novels.
わずかな年金で生きていくのは大変だ。
It's hard to get by on a small pension.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
be in effect; be in use; function
Used for rules, systems, traditions, or things that remain active or valid. Often seen in the ～ている form.
この法律はまだ生きている。
This law is still in effect.
古い慣習が今も生きている地域がある。
There are regions where old customs still live on.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
come to life; be enlivened; become vivid
Describes something becoming lively, vivid, or full of energy, often through a particular element or addition. Common in expressions like ～が生きる (something comes alive).
この絵は背景を暗くすると主題が生きる。
In this painting, the subject comes to life when the background is darkened.
彼の経験がチームの中で生きている。
His experience is really enlivening the team.
ichidan verb, intransitive verb
be safe; be alive (in a game)
Sports term: in baseball, a runner is safe; in go, a group has two eyes and cannot be captured. Also used in other games where a player or piece remains in play.
ランナーは間一髪で生きている。
The runner is safe by a hair's breadth.
この石は二眼あって生きている。
This group has two eyes and is alive.