Japanese word

生命力

Pronunciation

Romajiseimeiryoku

Meaning

  • nounvitality

Example

この植物は生命力が強いです。ko no shoku butsu wa sei mei ryoku ga tsuyo i de su

This plant has a lot of vitality.

Illustration for 生命力 (vitality)

More examples

若い苗は十分な水がなくても生命力を失いません。waka i nae wa jū bun na mizu ga na ku te mo sei mei ryoku o ushina i ma se n

Young seedlings do not lose their vitality even without enough water.

Core concept

Refers to the capacity within a living thing to maintain life and recover from difficulties.

Common phrases

  • 生命力にあふれるsei mei ryoku ni a fu re ru

    be full of vitality

  • 生命力を失うsei mei ryoku o ushina u

    lose vitality

  • 生命力が衰えるsei mei ryoku ga otoro e ru

    vitality declines

Similar words

活力katsuryoku: The energy and strength that support active functioning in a person, group, or organization.
生気seiki: The lively energy shown by a living thing in its appearance or behavior.
生存力seizonryoku: The ability of a living thing to survive under difficult conditions.

Definition in Japanese

生き物が生命を保ち、困難に負けずに活動する力。i ki mono ga sei mei o tamo chi kon nan ni ma ke zu ni katsu dō su ru chikara

Word origin

生命力 (seimeiryoku) is a Sino-Japanese compound made from 生 (sei, "life"), 命 (mei, "life"), and 力 (ryoku, "force"), literally expressing force related to life.

Usage tips

  • The English word vitality can describe a person, plant, institution, or community, but 生命力 (seimeiryoku) is especially natural when discussing the continuing strength of living things.

Other meanings

  • life forcenoun

Word lists with this word