Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 死ぬ | shinu | [ɕinɯ̟] (narrow) | |
| 死亡する | shibō suru | ||
| 亡くなる | nakunaru | [na̠kɯ̟ na̠ɾɯ̟] (narrow) | euphemistic |
The term for stopping living varies significantly depending on the context and the level of sensitivity required. While 死ぬ is the most common and straightforward way to express the concept, it is a direct and blunt term. In social situations, using 死ぬ when speaking about someone else's death can sound extremely insensitive or even rude. For a more polite and euphemistic approach, use 亡くなる, which is equivalent to 'to pass away'. In specific contexts, other terms are used: 逝く provides a poetic or symbolic nuance with a sentimental tone. 命を絶つ is used to denote taking one's own life. 絶命する is used for sudden or tragic deaths in news or legal contexts. And 死去する is used in formal settings like obituaries or documents. Additionally, 死亡する is used for clinical or official purposes such as medical or police reports.
Which one should you use?
死ぬ is the direct, standard way to say 'die', whereas 亡くなる is a euphemism used to 'pass away'. For official, medical or news reporting, the formal term 死亡する is preferred. For even more respectful contexts, one might use お亡くなりになる, which is an even more respectful form of 亡くなる.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of the dictionary form 死ぬ is 死んだ.
How do you pronounce it?
shinu
Did you know?
- The polite euphemism 亡くなる literally translates to 'to become nonexistent' or 'to become not'.
- The word 死ぬ is one of the very few verbs in the Japanese language that historically followed the 'na-row irregular' conjugation pattern.
Examples in context
- 死ぬもんか。I won't die.This sentence uses 死ぬ to express a strong determination not to die.Tatoeba #3507341 by arnab, translation #1792644 by BraveSentry
- 死ぬのが怖い。I'm afraid to die.This sentence uses 死ぬ to express the fear of dying.Tatoeba #168166 by huizi99, translation #7114508 by CK
- 人は皆必ず死ぬ。All men must die.This sentence uses 死ぬ to state a universal truth about mortality.Tatoeba #144518 by bunbuku, translation #270047 by Eldad
- ご家族の方がお亡くなりになったそうで、本当にお気の毒ですねI heard your family member has passed away, my deepest condolences.
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a character in a movie.
- 健太 Kentaあの主人公は死ぬの？Ano shujinkou wa shinu no?Does that protagonist die?
- 美咲 Misakiええ、最後は死ぬわ。Ee, saigo wa shinu wa.Yes, he dies at the end.
- 健太 Kenta悲しい結末だね。Kanashii ketsumatsu da ne.It is a sad ending.
- 美咲 Misaki本当にそう思う。Hontou ni sou omou.I really think so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “die” translations and entries 死ぬ, 亡くなる, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 亡くなる, 死ぬ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
