Japanese word

生命

Pronunciation

Romajiseimei

Meaning

  • nounlife

Example

この星に生命はありますか？ko no hoshi ni sei mei wa a ri ma su ka

Is there life on this planet?

Illustration for 生命 (life)

More examples

地球上のすべての生命は水を必要とします。chi kyū jō no su be te no sei mei wa mizu o hitsu yō to shi ma su

All life on Earth needs water.

Core concept

Describes the existence of living things as a general condition, rather than one particular person's lifetime.

Common phrases

  • 生命の誕生sei mei no tan jō

    the birth of life

  • 生命の存在sei mei no son zai

    the existence of life

  • 生命を守るsei mei o mamo ru

    protect life

Similar words

命inochi: The period or condition in which an individual remains alive.

Definition in Japanese

生物として存在し、生きている状態。sei butsu to shi te son zai shi i ki te i ru jō tai

Word origin

The Japanese word 生命 (seimei, "life") combines 生 (sei, "life") with 命 (mei, "life"), giving it a structure that connects living beings with life itself.

Usage tips

  • In English, life is usually uncountable when it means living organisms in general, as in life on another planet.

Opposites

Word lists with this word