Japanese Conversation · Level 53
90 words
Japanese word
生き生き
Pronunciation
Romajiikiiki
Meaning
- adverbanimatedly
Example
子どもたちは生き生きと話します。ko do mo ta chi wa i ki i ki to hana shi ma su
The children speak animatedly.
More examples
祖父は若いころの思い出を生き生きと語ります。so fu wa waka i ko ro no omo i de o i ki i ki to kata ri ma su
My grandfather vividly recounts memories of his youth.
Core concept
Shows a living, energetic quality that makes actions, speech, or descriptions feel vivid and full of presence.
Common phrases
生き生きと語るi ki i ki to kata ru
recount vividly
生き生きと話すi ki i ki to hana su
speak animatedly
生き生きと説明するi ki i ki to setsu mei su ru
explain vividly
Similar words
まざまざとmazamazato: In a way that brings a scene or memory sharply before the mind.
ありありとariarito: In a vivid and detailed manner that makes something easy to imagine.
Definition in Japanese
生命力にあふれ、活気や鮮やかさが感じられるさま。sei mei ryoku ni a fu re kak ki ya aza ya ka sa ga kan ji ra re ru sa ma
Word origin
生き生き (ikiiki) repeats the stem 生き (iki, "living") of 生きる (ikiru, "to live"), giving the word its sense of life and vigor.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 生き生き (ikiiki) often modifies speech, storytelling, or facial expression, so it can describe vivid presentation rather than physical movement alone.
Other meanings
- vividlyadverb
- energeticallyadverb