死活
Meanings
1
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Used for matters of survival, critical importance, or existential stakes. Often appears in compounds like 死活問題 (matter of life and death).
This contract is a matter of life and death for the company.
Since it's a life-or-death issue, we must judge carefully.
2
life and death (of a group of stones in Go)
Technical Go term referring to whether a group of stones can survive or will be captured.
The life and death of this corner group depends on whether Black plays first.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉が死活にかかわるfor something to be a matter of life and death / crucial to survival
This decision is a matter of life and death for the company.
- 〈事〉が〈組織〉の死活を左右するfor something to determine whether an organization survives or fails
A lack of funds could determine whether the company survives.
- 死活を読むto read (calculate) whether a group of stones will live or die, in Go
It's difficult to read whether this group of stones will live or die.