死にかけています
shinikakete imasu
The English phrase "I am dying" is expressed in Japanese as 死にかけています (shinikakete imasu).
This phrase is used to describe a literal medical or physical state where someone is in the process of passing away or is critically ill. It should not be used for hyperbolic English expressions such as "I'm dying of laughter" or "I'm dying of embarrassment".
Which one should you use?
死にかけています describes an actual ongoing process of dying.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is intransitive and does not require an object. It describes the state of the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
shinikakete imasu
Did you know?
- The word 死 (shi), which forms the root of this phrase, is also the number 'four' in Japanese and is considered an unlucky number for a reason.
- Japanese has several distinct words for dying depending on the social status of the person, with the most formal term 崩御される (hougyosareru) reserved exclusively for the Emperor.
- The verb 死ぬ (to die) is often used in casual slang to describe being completely exhausted or overwhelmed, such as saying もう死ぬ when facing an impossible amount of work.
Examples in context
- 彼は今、死にかけています。Kare wa ima, shinikakete imasu.He is dying right now.
- 病気で死にかけています。Byouki de shinikakete imasu.I am dying from an illness.
- とても苦しくて、死にかけています。Totemo kurushikute, shinikakete imasu.It is very painful, and I am dying.
Example conversation
A patient is talking to a doctor in a hospital.
- 陽葵 Himari先生、私は死にかけていますか？Sensei, watashi wa shinikakete imasu ka?Doctor, am I dying?
- 大翔 Hiroto今は全力で治療しています。Ima wa zenryoku de chiryō shite imasu.We are doing everything we can to treat you now.
- 陽葵 Himariでも、体が死にかけています。Demo, karada ga shinikakete imasu.But my body is dying.
- 大翔 Hiroto諦めないでください。Akiramenai de kudasai.Please don't give up.
