How to Say "Alive" in Japanese

生きている

ikiteiru

The English word "alive" is translated into Japanese as 生きている (ikiteiru).

生きている is used to describe a continuous state of being alive.

Meaning: having life (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of the verb ikiru (to live) in its continuous -te iru form, which literally means "is in the state of living".

While 生きている describes the ongoing state of being alive, the verb 生きる is typically used for the general concept of living or the act of surviving.

In the Kansai dialect, 生きとる is used instead of 生きている to mean "alive".

The phrase 生きている is used specifically to describe a continuous state of being alive rather than the simple act of living.

ikiteiru

The verb within the phrase, 生きる (ikiru), is also the root for the word 'life' in a philosophical sense, used in terms like 生きがい (ikigai), which means a reason for living.
While 生きている is the standard way to say someone is alive, the word 生身 (namami) describes a person in the 'living flesh', often used to contrast a living human with a ghost or a robot.
In Japanese, the word for 'life' 命 (inochi) refers to the physical spark of life, while 生活 (seikatsu) refers to the daily 'living' or lifestyle.

２人共生きている。
Both are alive.
This sentence is useful for showing that two people are alive.
Tatoeba #235432 by arnab, translation #72810 by Zifre
彼はまだ生きている。
He is still alive.
This sentence is useful for expressing that someone is still alive.
Tatoeba #110817 by bunbuku, translation #292869 by CK
どうしてまだ生きている？
Why am I still alive?
This sentence is useful for asking why one is still alive.
Tatoeba #2805328 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #2805327 by CK
私たちは生きている喜びを感じます。
We feel the joy of being alive.
まさか、まだ生きてたの？
No way, you were still alive?
昨日の地震、生きてた？
Did you survive yesterday's earthquake?
まだ生きとるんやないか？
You're still alive, huh?
〜を生きる喜び
The joy of living
生きた証
Proof of being alive
命ある限り
As long as there is life
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Kenta and Himari are looking at a small insect in the garden.

健太 Kenta

この虫、まだ生きているよ。
Kono mushi, mada ikite iru yo.
This insect is still alive.
陽葵 Himari

本当だ！元気に動いているね。
Hontou da! Genki ni ugoite iru ne.
You're right! It's moving energetically.
健太 Kenta

生きているものを見つけると嬉しいな。
Ikite iru mono o mitsukeru to ureshii na.
I feel happy when I find something alive.
陽葵 Himari

そうだね、健太君。
Sou da ne, Kenta-kun.
That's true, Kenta.

Sources

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