Japanese word

青春

Pronunciation

Romajiseishun

Meaning

  • nounyouth

Example

多くの友達と青春を過ごしました。ō ku no tomo dachi to sei shun o su go shi ma shi ta

I spent my youth with many friends.

Illustration for 青春 (youth)

More examples

彼は青春の思い出を大切にしています。kare wa sei shun no omo i de o tai setsu ni shi te i ma su

He cherishes memories of his youth.

Core concept

Describes the lively, hopeful stage of life associated with being young.

Common phrases

  • 青春を過ごすsei shun o su go su

    spend one's youth

  • 青春を謳歌するsei shun o ō ka su ru

    enjoy one's youth

Similar words

青年期seinenki: The stage of life between childhood and full adulthood.
若さwakasa: The condition of having the energy and freshness associated with being young.

Definition in Japanese

人生の中で、若者らしい活気や希望に満ちた時期。jin sei no naka de waka mono ra shi i kak ki ya ki bō ni mi chi ta ji ki

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 青春 (seishun) combines 青 (sei, "blue-green") and 春 (shun, "spring"), using spring as a traditional symbol of youth.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 青春 (seishun) can describe a person's earlier years after they have ended, so adults often use it when recalling their school days.

Other meanings

  • adolescencenoun

Opposites

  • 老年rōnenold agenoun

Related words

  • 青春期seishunkiadolescencenoun

Word lists with this word