Japanese Conversation · Level 34
90 words
Japanese word
生きる
Pronunciation
Romajiikiru
Meaning
- verblive
Example
祖父は八十歳まで生きました。so fu wa hachi jū sai ma de i ki ma shi ta
My grandfather lived until he was eighty.
More examples
魚は水の中で生きます。sakana wa mizu no naka de i ki ma su
Fish live in water.
人は水がなくては生きられません。hito wa mizu ga na ku te wa i ki ra re ma se n
People cannot live without water.
Core concept
Describes remaining alive through time, with the context sometimes extending the meaning to simply continuing to exist.
Common phrases
前向きに生きるmae mu ki ni i ki ru
live positively
生きる喜びi ki ru yoroko bi
joy of living
Similar words
住むsumu: To reside in a particular place as a home.
暮らすkurasu: To lead one's everyday life in a place or condition.
Definition in Japanese
死なずに生命を保ち、ある期間を過ごす。shi na zu ni sei mei o tamo chi a ru ki kan o su go su
Word origin
生きる (ikiru, "to live") is a native Japanese verb related to the older form 生く (iku, "to live"), with the modern form ending in る (ru).
Usage tips
- In beginner conversation, 生きる (ikiru, "to live") describes being alive, while 住む (sumu, "to reside") describes where someone lives.