Korean word

일생

Pronunciation

Romanizationilsaeng

Meaning

  • nounlifetime

Example

그는 일생을 가족과 함께 보냈다.keu neun il saeng eul ka jok kkwa ham kke po naet tta

He spent his whole life with his family.

Illustration for 일생 (lifetime)

More examples

그녀는 일생의 꿈을 이루었다.keu nyeo neun il saeng ui kku meul i ru eot tta

She achieved her lifelong dream.

Core concept

A single, unbroken life viewed as a whole rather than as separate stages.

Common phrases

  • 일생을 살다il saeng eul sal da

    live one's whole life

  • 일생의 꿈il saeng ui kkum

    lifelong dream

Similar words

인생insaeng: A person's life viewed as the experiences, choices, and events that shape its course.
평생pyeongsaeng: Describes something that continues throughout one person's entire life.

Definition in Korean

한 번 태어나서 죽을 때까지의 삶 그 자체나 그 동안의 생활 전체를 이르는 말.han peon tae eo na seo chu geul ttae kka ji ui sam keu cha che na keu tong a nui saeng hwal cheon che reul i reu neun mal

Word origin

일 (il, "one") and 생 (saeng, "life") combine in a Sino-Korean word that treats a life as one complete span.

Usage tips

  • The word fits calm factual descriptions of a person's entire life, such as accounts of how that life was spent.

Word lists with this word