What is the Kanji for "Life"?

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Life", you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for "Life" is "生".

This kanji has 5 readings:

Its kunyomi readings are "Nama", "U", and "I".

Its onyomi readings are "Shou" and "Sei".

kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.

If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:

The kanji "土" means "Soil" and can be read as "Tsuchi", "To", and "Do". And The radical "𠂉" means "Person" .

Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.

What does the kanji "生" mean in japanese?

"生" means "Life".

Japanese School Students learn this kanji in First Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.

Here are some words that use this kanji:

大学生: "University student". The Japanese noun '大学生 (だいがくせい)' refers to a student who is currently enrolled in a university or college. These individuals are pursuing higher education and are typically aged between 18-22 years old. They attend classes, participate in campus activities, and work towards earning a bachelor's degree. For example: I'm a university student - (私は大学生です). She is a diligent university student - (彼女は勤勉な大学生です).

高校生: "High school student". The Japanese noun '高校生 (こうこうせい)' refers to a student who is enrolled in high school. High school in Japan starts from the 10th grade and goes up to the 12th grade. High school students are typically between the ages of 15 and 18. For example: I am a high school student - (私は高校生です). She is a high school student - (彼女は高校生です).

先生: "Teacher". The Japanese noun '先生 (せんせい)' means 'teacher'. This word is used to refer to someone who is an educator, instructor or mentor. It is a respectful term that conveys the high regard Japanese society places on the teaching profession. For example: My teacher is very kind - (先生はとてもやさしい). The teacher explained the lesson - (先生が授業を説明しました).

生きる: "Live". The Japanese verb '生きる (いきる)' means 'to live'. This verb is used to describe the state of being alive, existing, or continuing to exist. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's life, the lifespan of an organism, or the continuation of an activity or phenomenon. For example: I live in Tokyo - (私は東京に生きている). Live long and prosper - (長生きして繁栄しなさい).

留学生: "Foreign student". The Japanese noun '留学生 (りゅうがくせい)' refers to a foreign student who is studying in Japan. This term is commonly used to describe international students who have come to Japan to pursue higher education at a Japanese university or college. They typically reside in Japan temporarily for the duration of their studies. For example: Many foreign students come to Japan each year - (毎年多くの留学生が日本に来ます).

生まれる: "Be born". The Japanese verb '生まれる (うまれる)' means 'to be born'. This verb is used to describe the act of coming into existence or entering the world as a living being. It is often used when referring to a baby being delivered or a person coming into existence. For example: He was born yesterday - (彼は昨日生まれた). My sister just gave birth to a baby boy - (私の姉は今赤ちゃんの男の子を生んだ).

人生: "Life". The Japanese noun '人生 (じんせい)' means 'life'. It refers to the duration of one's existence, including all of the experiences and events that occur during that time. This word can be used to discuss concepts related to the human experience, such as the meaning of life, the stages of life, or the choices and challenges that people face throughout their lifetimes. For example: He has lived a long and fulfilling life - (彼は長く充実した人生を送ってきた). To live one's life to the fullest - (人生を最大限に生きる).

生ずる: "Arise". The Japanese verb '生ずる (しょうずる)' means 'to arise' or 'to come into being'. It is used to describe something that comes into existence or manifests itself. This verb can be used to refer to the emergence of phenomena, the occurrence of events, or the development of situations. For example: Problems arose - (問題が生じた). A new idea arose - (新しいアイデアが生まれた).

学生: "Student". The noun '学生 (がくせい)' refers to a person who is enrolled in an educational institution, such as a school, college, or university, and is actively pursuing their studies. It can be used to describe students at any level of education, from elementary school to graduate school. For example: She is a university student - (彼女は大学生です). The student studied hard for the exam - (その学生は試験に向けて熱心に勉強しました).

生産: "Production". The Japanese verbal noun '生産 (せいさん)' means 'production'. This term refers to the process of manufacturing or creating goods, products, or services. It encompasses activities such as planning, organizing, and executing the steps necessary to bring something into existence. For example: The productivity of the factory has increased the production of goods - (工場の生産性が商品の生産を増やした). They are focusing on increasing production to meet the growing demand - (需要の増加に対応するために生産の増加に焦点を当てている).

生活: "Life". The verbal noun '生活 (せいかつ)' means 'life'. It refers to the general way in which a person or group lives, including their daily activities, routines, habits and living conditions. It can be used to discuss one's standard of living, lifestyle, or manner of living. For example: My daily life is quite busy - (私の日々の生活は非常に忙しい). She leads a simple life - (彼女は質素な生活を送っている).

中学生: "Middle school student". The Japanese noun '中学生 (ちゅうがくせい)' refers to a student who is attending a middle school or junior high school, typically between the ages of 12 and 15. This word is commonly used to refer to children in this stage of their education. For example: The middle school students went on a field trip - (中学生が遠足に行きました). She is a middle school student - (彼女は中学生です).

小学生: "Elementary school student". The Japanese noun '小学生 (しょうがくせい)' refers to a student attending elementary school, typically between the ages of 6-12. These students are in the first stage of formal education in Japan. They wear a distinctive school uniform and receive lessons in core subjects like mathematics, Japanese, science, and social studies. For example: My son is an elementary school student - (私の息子は小学生です). She is a 6th grade elementary school student - (彼女は小学校六年生です).

生徒: "Student". The Japanese noun '生徒 (せいと)' means 'student'. This word refers to a person who is enrolled in and attends an educational institution, such as a school, to receive instruction. It can be used to describe students at various levels of education, from elementary school to university. For example: The students went to the library - (生徒たちは図書館に行きました). I am a student at this school - (私はこの学校の生徒です).

発生: "Occurrence". The verbal noun '発生 (はっせい)' means 'occurrence'. It refers to something coming into existence or happening, usually in an unexpected or uncontrolled way. It can be used to describe natural events, accidents, or other phenomena that arise unexpectedly. For example: The occurrence of the earthquake caused widespread damage - (地震の発生は広範囲な被害を引き起こした). The company is investigating the occurrence of the fire - (会社は火災の発生を調査している).

生命: "Life". The Japanese noun '生命 (せいめい)' means 'life'. This word refers to the state of being alive, the force that gives living things the ability to grow, develop, and reproduce. It can be used to describe the life of a person, animal, or even a plant. For example: The right to life - (生命の権利). All living things have life - (すべての生物には生命がある).

生む: "Give birth" or "Produce". The Japanese verb '生む (うむ)' has two main meanings. The first meaning is 'to give birth', referring to the act of a mother bringing a child into the world. For example: She gave birth to a healthy baby - (彼女は健康な赤ちゃんを生んだ). The second meaning is 'to produce' or 'to create', referring to generating or bringing something into existence. For example: The company is producing a new product - (その会社は新しい製品を生み出しています).

一生: "Lifetime". The Japanese noun '一生 (いっしょう)' means 'lifetime'. This word refers to the entire duration of a person's life from birth until death. It can be used to describe various aspects of a person's life, such as their experiences, achievements, and relationships over the course of their lifetime. For example: I want to make the most of my lifetime - (私は一生を最大限に生きたい). He devoted his lifetime to serving others - (彼は人々に尽くすことに一生を捧げた).

生物: "Living organism". The noun '生物 (せいぶつ)' refers to any living organism, including plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms. It is a general term that encompasses all forms of life. For example: The zoo has many different living organisms - (動物園には様々な生物がいる). Living organisms need water to survive - (生物は生存するために水が必要だ).

誕生日: "Birthday". The noun '誕生日 (たんじょうび)' refers to the anniversary of the day a person was born. It is an important day in Japanese culture, where people often celebrate with family and friends, exchange gifts, and enjoy special meals or activities. For example: My birthday is next week - (私の誕生日は来週です). When is your birthday? - (あなたの誕生日はいつですか?)

一生懸命: "Hard". The adverb '一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい)' means 'hard'. This adverb describes doing something with great effort, intensity, or determination. It conveys a sense of giving one's full or utmost effort to a task. For example: I studied hard for the exam - (試験に一生懸命に勉強した). She works hard every day - (彼女は毎日一生懸命働いている).

生かす: "Utilize" or "Make use of". The Japanese verb '生かす (いかす)' means 'to utilize' or 'to make use of'. This verb is used to express the idea of taking advantage of or making the most of something. It can be used in various contexts, such as utilizing one's skills, making use of resources, or capitalizing on an opportunity. For example: I will utilize my experience to solve this problem - (私は経験を生かしてこの問題を解決する). This talent can really be utilized - (この才能を是非生かしてほしい).

生理: "Menstruation". The Japanese noun '生理 (せいり)' means 'menstruation'. This term refers to the monthly discharge of blood and mucosal tissue from the lining of the uterus that occurs in women of reproductive age. It is a natural biological process that is an important part of the female reproductive cycle. For example: I have my menstruation - (私は生理が来ています). She is on her period - (彼女は生理中です).

生み出す: "Create" or "Produce". The Japanese verb '生み出す (うみだす)' means 'to create' or 'to produce'. It is used to describe the act of bringing something into existence, whether it is a physical object, an idea, or something more abstract. The verb can be used in a variety of contexts, such as 生み出す発明 (to create an invention), 新しいアイデアを生み出す (to produce a new idea), or 新しい生命を生み出す (to bring new life into the world). Example sentences: She created a beautiful painting - (彼女は素晴らしい絵を生み出した). The company produced a new product - (その会社は新しい製品を生み出した).

厚生: "Welfare". The Japanese noun '厚生 (こうせい)' means 'welfare'. This word refers to the provision of social services, assistance programs, and other forms of support for the health, well-being, and quality of life of members of society, especially those in need. It is commonly used in the context of government policies and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and living standards of citizens. For example: The ministry of welfare - (厚生省), Welfare programs - (厚生事業)

生まれ: "Birth". The noun '生まれ (うまれ)' means 'birth'. This word refers to the act or process of being born, the beginning of life. It can be used in phrases like '赤ちゃんの生まれ' (the birth of a baby) or '私の生まれた町' (the town where I was born). The word is commonly used when talking about a person's place or time of birth.

生じる: "Occur". The Japanese verb '生じる (しょうじる)' means 'to occur'. This verb is used to describe when something happens, comes into existence, or originates. It can be used for both concrete and abstract occurrences. For example: Problems occurred as a result of the accident - (事故の結果、問題が生じた). New opportunities often arise in difficult times - (厳しい時期にも新しい機会が生じることがある).

生き方: "Way of life". The Japanese noun '生き方 (いきかた)' refers to one's way of living, approach to life, or lifestyle. It encompasses the values, principles, and choices that guide an individual's daily existence and long-term pursuits. This term emphasizes the intentional and thoughtful nature of how one chooses to live, rather than simply one's daily routine. For example: She has a unique way of life - (彼女は生き方が特別だ). Finding your own way of life is important - (自分なりの生き方を見つけることは大切だ).

生け花: "Flower arrangement". The Japanese noun '生け花 (いけばな)' refers to the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. It involves the precise placement of flowers, branches, and other natural materials in a container to create aesthetically pleasing compositions. This art form is highly symbolic and has deep cultural roots in Japan. It is often used to decorate homes, temples, and other spaces. For example: She is an expert in the art of ikebana - (彼女は生け花の達人です). The ikebana display at the museum was stunning - (美術館の生け花の展示は素晴らしかった).

生年月日: "Birthdate". The Japanese noun '生年月日 (せいねんがっぴ)' means 'birthdate'. This noun refers to the specific date on which a person was born. It is commonly used on official documents and forms to identify an individual. For example: My birthdate is October 15th - (私の生年月日は10月15日です)。What is your birthdate? - (あなたの生年月日は何ですか?)

生まれつき: "Innately". The adverb '生まれつき (うまれつき)' means 'innately'. It is used to describe something that is inherent or natural to a person from birth, rather than being acquired or learned. For example: She is innately talented at music - (彼女は音楽の才能を生まれつき持っている). They are innately shy - (彼らは生まれつき内気だ).

生き生きと: "Vividly". The Japanese adverb '生き生きと (いきいきと)' means 'vividly'. It is used to describe something that is full of life, energy, and vigor. It can be used to describe a person's actions, the atmosphere of a place, or the way something is expressed. For example: She spoke about her trip vividly - (彼女は旅行について生き生きと話した). The market was bustling with a vivid energy - (その市場は生き生きとした活気に満ちていた).

生涯: "Life". The Japanese noun '生涯 (しょうがい)' means 'life'. This word refers to the duration of one's existence, from birth until death. It can be used to describe a person's entire lifetime or the course of their life. For example: He led an interesting life - (彼は興味深い生涯を送った). I want to make the most of my life - (私は自分の生涯を最大限活かしたい).

生死: "Life and death". The noun '生死 (せいし)' refers to the fundamental state of existence, encompassing both life and death. It expresses the cycle and finality of human existence. This term is often used in philosophical or religious contexts to discuss the nature of human life and mortality. For example: The soldiers bravely faced life and death - (兵士たちは生死に直面していた). The concept of life and death is central to many Eastern philosophies - (生死の概念は多くの東洋の思想の中心的なものである).

生存: "Existence" or "Survival". The Japanese verbal noun '生存 (せいぞん)' means 'existence' or 'survival'. It refers to the state of being alive and continuing to live. This term is often used in discussions about the human condition, biology, philosophy, and other areas that deal with the nature of life. For example: The survival of the species is crucial - (種の生存は重要だ). Existence is the foundation of all life - (生存は全生命の基盤である).

生える: "Grow". The Japanese verb '生える (はえる)' means 'to grow'. It is typically used to describe the growth of plants, hair, teeth, or other organic things that emerge or sprout. For example: Grass is growing - (草が生えている). My hair has grown longer - (私の髪が長く生えてきた).

衛生的: "Hygienic". The Japanese adjective '衛生的 (えいせいてき)' means 'hygienic'. This adjective describes something that is clean, sanitary, and promotes good health and hygiene. It is often used to describe the cleanliness of a place, product, or practice. For example: The kitchen is hygienic - (台所は衛生的だ). It's important to maintain hygienic conditions - (衛生的な状況を維持することが大切だ).

再生: "Playback". The verbal noun '再生 (さいせい)' means 'playback'. It refers to the action or process of replaying or reproducing audio, video, or other recorded content. The word is commonly used in the context of media players, audio/video systems, or digital storage devices. For example: I will start the playback - (再生を始めます). The video is ready for playback - (ビデオの再生ができます).

芝生: "Lawn". The Japanese noun '芝生 (しばふ)' refers to a grassy area, usually found in gardens, parks, or yards, that is covered with short, dense grass. This type of grass is often carefully maintained and trimmed to create a uniform, well-kept appearance. '芝生' is commonly used to describe the green, lush grass covering the ground in such areas. For example: The park has a beautiful lawn - (公園には美しい芝生があります). I like to walk on the lawn - (私は芝生の上を歩くのが好きです).

生き物: "Creature". The Japanese noun '生き物 (いきもの)' means 'creature'. This word is used to refer to any living being, including animals, insects, plants, and even humans. It can be used in a general sense to talk about living things, or to specifically refer to a certain type of creature. For example: There are many creatures in the forest - (森には多くの生き物がいる). I saw an interesting creature today - (今日面白い生き物を見ました).

衛生: "Hygiene". The noun '衛生 (えいせい)' means 'hygiene'. It refers to the practices or conditions necessary to maintain health and prevent disease, such as cleanliness, sanitation, and the prevention of infection. This word is commonly used in the context of personal, public, or community health. For example: Maintaining good hygiene is important for health - (衛生を保つことは健康のために重要だ). Proper hygiene practices help avoid getting sick - (適切な衛生習慣は病気を避けるのに役立つ).

生成: "Generation". The noun '生成 (せいせい)' means 'generation'. It refers to the act or process of producing, creating or bringing something into existence. This word can be used to describe the generation of energy, the generation of ideas, or the generation of a new product. For example: The generation of renewable energy is important for the environment - (再生可能エネルギーの生成は環境にとって重要である). The company has a process for generating new product ideas - (この企業には新しい製品アイデアを生成する仕組みがある).

長生き: "Longevity". The Japanese verbal noun '長生き (ながいき)' means 'longevity'. This term refers to the state or condition of living a long life. It can be used to express the idea of having a long lifespan or living for an extended period of time. For example: He is known for his longevity - (彼の長生きで有名だ). I hope to achieve longevity - (私は長生きを望んでいます).

生やす: "Grow". The verb '生やす (はやす)' means 'to grow'. This verb is used to describe the act of causing something to grow, such as hair, plants, or other living things. For example: He grew a beard - (彼は髭を生やした). The farmer grew vegetables - (農家が野菜を生やした).

生: "Raw" or "Fresh". The adjectival noun '生 (なま)' has two primary meanings. The first meaning is 'raw', referring to something that has not been cooked, processed, or prepared. For example: Raw meat - (生の肉). The second meaning is 'fresh', describing something that is newly made, grown, or harvested. For example: Fresh vegetables - (生の野菜).

無生物: "Inanimate object". The Japanese noun '無生物 (むせいぶつ)' refers to an 'inanimate object', something that is not living and does not have life. This includes things like rocks, metals, plastics, and other non-organic materials. For example: Rocks and metals are inanimate objects - (石や金属は無生物です). The vase is an inanimate object - (その花瓶は無生物だ).

生態: "Ecosystem". The Japanese noun '生態 (せいたい)' refers to an ecosystem, which is a community of living organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) interacting with each other and their physical environment. An ecosystem includes both living and non-living components and the complex web of interactions between them. For example: The tropical rainforest is a diverse ecosystem - (熱帯雨林は多様な生態系である). Maintaining the balance of an ecosystem is important - (生態系のバランスを保つことが重要だ).

生意気: "Cheeky" or "Insolent". The adjectival noun '生意気 (なまいき)' means 'cheeky' or 'insolent'. It describes a person who is disrespectful, rude, or overly confident and bold in their behavior and speech, often in a way that is inappropriate or offensive. For example: Don't be so生意気 - (そんなに生意気にするな). She has a very生意気な personality - (彼女は非常に生意気な性格だ).

生き残る: "Survive". The Japanese verb '生き残る (いきのこる)' means 'to survive'. This verb is used to describe the action of continuing to live or exist, especially in the face of danger, hardship, or adversity. It can be applied to individuals, groups, or even entire species. For example: He survived the earthquake - (彼は地震から生き残った). The colony managed to survive the harsh winter - (その集落は厳しい冬を生き残った).

新生: "Rebirth". The noun '新生 (しんせい)' means 'rebirth'. This word refers to the process of being reborn or starting anew, often in a spiritual or metaphorical sense. It can describe the renewal or revival of something, such as a person, an organization, or an idea. For example: The company underwent a rebirth after the new CEO took over - (その会社は新CEOの就任後に新生した). The rebirth of the nation after the war - (戦後の国家の新生).

出生: "Birth". The noun '出生 (しゅっしょう)' refers to the act or instance of being born. It is used to describe the beginning of a person's life or the process of being delivered from the mother's womb. Some example sentences include: He was born in Tokyo - (彼は東京で出生しました). The birth certificate records the date of birth - (出生証明書には生年月日が記載されています).

生き生き: "Lively". The adverb '生き生き (いきいき)' means 'lively'. It is used to describe someone or something that is full of energy, enthusiasm, and vigor. It can be used to describe a person's behavior, a performance, or even the way something looks. For example: She performed the dance lively - (彼女はその踊りを生き生きと踊った). The flowers are blooming lively - (その花は生き生きと咲いている).

誕生: "Birth". The verbal noun '誕生 (たんじょう)' means 'birth'. This term refers to the act or event of being born, the start of one's life. It can be used to describe the birth of a baby, the emergence of a new product or idea, or the establishment of an organization. For example: The baby's birth was on Monday - (その赤ちゃんの誕生は月曜日でした). The company celebrated its 10th anniversary since its birth - (その会社は誕生以来10周年を祝った).

同級生: "Classmate". The Japanese noun '同級生 (どうきゅうせい)' refers to a 'classmate', someone who is in the same grade or class as another person. This term is commonly used in educational settings to describe fellow students who are part of the same cohort. For example: My classmate is very smart - (私の同級生はとてもいい学生です). I made a new classmate in my math class - (数学の授業で新しい同級生ができた).

生臭い: "Pungent". The Japanese adjective '生臭い (なまぐさい)' means 'pungent'. This adjective is used to describe a strong, unpleasant smell, often associated with seafood or meat. It can be used to describe the odor of certain foods or environments. For example: This fish is pungent - (この魚はなまぐさい). The room has a pungent odor - (この部屋はなまぐさい臭いがする).

To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.

But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.

Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.

This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:

The hiragana "な" is read as "na". The hiragana "ま" is read as "ma". The hiragana "う" is read as "u". The hiragana "し" is read as "shi". The hiragana "せ" is read as "se". And The hiragana "い" is read as "i".

Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.

For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).

For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.