Japanese word

寿命

Pronunciation

Romajijumyō

Meaning

  • nounlifespan

Example

この鳥の寿命は十年です。ko no tori no ju myō wa jū nen de su

This bird's lifespan is ten years.

Illustration for 寿命 (lifespan)

More examples

この製品は丈夫な材料で作られ、寿命が長いです。ko no sei hin wa jō bu na zai ryō de tsuku ra re ju myō ga naga i de su

This product is made of durable materials and has a long lifespan.

Core concept

Presents life as a limited period that ends when the living thing dies.

Common phrases

  • 寿命が長いju myō ga naga i

    have a long lifespan

  • 寿命が短いju myō ga mijika i

    have a short lifespan

  • 寿命を延ばすju myō o no ba su

    extend the lifespan

  • 寿命が尽きるju myō ga tsu ki ru

    a lifespan comes to an end

Similar words

一生isshō: The complete period that a person or animal lives, from birth until death.
生涯shōgai: The whole course of a person's life, considered from its beginning to its end.

Definition in Japanese

生物が生きている時間の長さ。sei butsu ga i ki te i ru ji kan no naga sa

Word origin

The word 寿命 (jumyō) combines 寿 (ju, "long life") with 命 (myō, "life") in a Sino-Japanese formation referring to the duration of life.

Usage tips

  • Lifespan can describe animals, plants, and people in English, so 寿命 (jumyō) applies naturally to many living things rather than only to humans.

Other meanings

  • life expectancynoun
  • lifetimenoun

Word lists with this word