生
い
く
Meanings
1
archaic
Archaic prefix meaning 'full of life' or 'vigorous'. Found only in a few old compounds; not productive in modern Japanese.
In the old compound 生血, 生 was read いく and meant vital, life-giving blood.
Expressions
- 聞くは一時の恥、聞かぬは一生の恥better to ask and be embarrassed than not ask and never know
- 子供は３歳までに一生分の親孝行をするchildren pay back their debt to their parents in full by age 3 (through their cuteness)