Japanese Conversation · Level 38
90 words
Japanese word
一生
Pronunciation
Romajiisshō
Meaning
- nounlifetime
Example
人の一生は短いです。hito no is shō wa mijika i de su
A person's lifetime is short.
More examples
私は一生忘れない景色を見ました。watashi wa is shō wasu re na i keshiki o mi ma shi ta
I saw a view I will never forget.
Core concept
Marks a person's life as one complete stretch of time.
Common phrases
一生に一度is shō ni ichi do
once in a lifetime
一生の友達is shō no tomo dachi
a friend for life
Similar words
生涯shōgai: The whole course of a person's life, often discussed in formal writing.
Definition in Japanese
ある人が生まれてから死ぬまでの時間。a ru hito ga u ma re te ka ra shi nu ma de no ji kan
Word origin
一生 (isshō) is a compound of 一 (ichi, "one") and 生 (shō, "life"), expressing the idea of one whole life.
Usage tips
- Unlike the English word lifetime, 一生 (isshō) normally refers to a person's whole life rather than the period during which an object remains in use.
Other meanings
- all one's lifeadverb