Japanese word

生まれる

Pronunciation

Romajiumareru

Meaning

  • verbbe born

Example

私は東京で生まれました。watashi wa tō kyō de u ma re ma shi ta

I was born in Tokyo.

Illustration for 生まれる (be born)

More examples

わたしは五月に生まれました。wa ta shi wa go gatsu ni u ma re ma shi ta

I was born in May.

弟は春に生まれました。otōto wa haru ni u ma re ma shi ta

My younger brother was born in spring.

Core concept

Describes a person or living thing coming into existence through birth, with the focus on what enters the world rather than on who causes it.

Common phrases

  • 日本で生まれるnihon de u ma re ru

    be born in Japan

  • 春に生まれるharu ni u ma re ru

    be born in spring

Definition in Japanese

人や動物が母体から出て、この世に存在し始める。hito ya dō butsu ga bo tai ka ra de te ko no yo ni son zai shi haji me ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 生まれる (umareru, "to be born") is related to 生む (umu, "to give birth"); the pair contrasts what comes into existence with the act that causes it.

Usage tips

  • In English, "be born" looks passive, but Japanese treats 生まれる (umareru) as an intransitive verb and commonly marks the place of birth with で (de).

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word