Korean word

인생

Pronunciation

Romanizationinsaeng

Meaning

  • nounlife

Example

인생은 짧다.in saeng eun jjal tta

Life is short.

Illustration for 인생 (life)

More examples

여행을 다니며 인생을 즐기고 있다.yeo haeng eul ta ni myeo in saeng eul cheul gi go it tta

I am enjoying life while traveling.

Core concept

The complete course of one person's life from birth through every experience to death.

Common phrases

  • 인생을 즐기다in saeng eul cheul gi da

    enjoy life

  • 인생을 살다in saeng eul sal da

    live one's life

Similar words

생명saengmyeong: The state of being alive, or the vital existence of a person, animal, or plant.
삶sam: The way life is lived through ongoing experiences, habits, and personal choices.
생활saenghwal: The ordinary pattern of daily living, including work, chores, meals, and rest.

Definition in Korean

사람이 태어나서 죽을 때까지 보내는 시간과 그 사이에 겪는 경험·선택·삶의 전체를 이르는 말.sa ra mi tae eo na seo chu geul ttae kka ji po nae neun si gan gwa keu sa i e kyeong neun kyeong heom seon taek sal mui cheon che reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

The word comes from a Sino-Korean compound whose parts mean person and life, which makes its focus on an individual lifetime easy to remember.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can use this word when a statement looks back on the direction or meaning of a person's life, not only on daily living.

Opposites

Related words

  • 인생관insaenggwanphilosophy of lifenoun
  • 인생사insaengsalife eventsnoun

Word lists with this word