安楽死
anrakushi[ã̠n̺ɾa̠kɯ̟ɕi]
Euthanasia in Japanese is expressed as 安楽死 (anrakushi). Wiktionary also lists オイタナジー (oitanajī) and ユータナジー (yūtanajī).
Meaning: practice of killing a human being or animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 安楽死 | anrakushi | [ã̠n̺ɾa̠kɯ̟ɕi] (narrow) |
| オイタナジー | oitanajī | [o̞ita̠na̠ʑiː] (narrow) |
| ユータナジー | yūtanajī | [jɯ̟ːta̠na̠ʑiː] (narrow) |
| ユーサネイジア | yūsaneijia | [jɯ̟ːsa̠ne̞ːʑia̠] (narrow) |
| 殺処分 | satsu shobun | [sa̠t͡sɨɕo̞bɯ̟̃ɴ] (narrow) [sa̠ɕːo̞bɯ̟̃ɴ] (narrow) |
The term refers to the practice of killing a human being or animal (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 安楽死 is composed of 安楽, meaning peaceful or easy and 死, meaning death.
Which one should you use?
While 安楽死 refers to the general concept of euthanasia, 殺処分 is the specific term used for the culling or killing of animals (often in shelters).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
安楽死 is the standard, formal term used in medical, legal and journalistic contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
anrakushi
Did you know?
- Japanese has three different loanwords for euthanasia: オイタナジー from German, ユータナジー from French and ユーサネイジア from English.
- The term 安楽死 shares its first two characters with 安楽浄土, a Buddhist term for the 'Pure Land' or the paradise of Amida Buddha. This subtly links the modern medical concept to ancient spiritual ideas of a painless afterlife.
- The character 安 in 安楽死 is also the root for words meaning 'safe' or 'cheap'.
Examples in context
- 最近、尊厳死についての話題が多いですね。There have been many discussions about euthanasia lately.
- はい、私も尊厳死の合法化について関心があります。Yes, I'm also interested in the legalization of euthanasia.
- この映画は尊厳死をテーマにしています。This movie deals with euthanasia as its theme.
- 本当に重いテーマですね。尊厳死について考えさせられます。It's a really heavy topic. It makes me think about euthanasia.
- 安楽死に関する議論が続いています。Anrakushi ni kansuru giron ga tsuzuite imasu.Discussions regarding euthanasia are ongoing.
- 安楽死は非常に難しい問題です。Anrakushi wa hijō ni muzukashii mondai desu.Euthanasia is a very difficult issue.
- 彼は安楽死の是非について考えている。Kare wa anrakushi no zehi ni tsuite kangaete iru.He is thinking about the pros and cons of euthanasia.
Example conversation
Two siblings are discussing a difficult ethical topic.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太、安楽死に賛成なの？Yōta, anrakushi ni sansei nano?Yōta, are you in favor of euthanasia?
- 陽太 Yota難しい問題だけど、賛成だと思うよ。Muzukashii mondai dakedo, sansei da to omou yo.It's a difficult issue, but I think I agree.
- 陽葵 Himari私はまだ迷っているわ。Watashi wa mada mayotte iru wa.I am still undecided.
- 陽太 Yotaゆっくり考えてみよう。Yukkuri kangaete miyō.Let's think about it slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “euthanasia” translations and entries 安楽死, オイタナジー, ユータナジー, ユーサネイジア, 殺処分, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries オイタナジー, ユーサネイジア, ユータナジー, 安楽死, CC BY-SA 4.0.
