人生は続く
jinsei wa tsuzuku
The English phrase "life goes on" is translated into Japanese as 人生は続く (jinsei wa tsuzuku).
A phrase used to say that activities and time continue despite a difficult or sad event.
What does it mean word for word?
人生 (jinsei) refers specifically to the span of a human life, rather than the general concept of existence.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 人生は続く, the particle は marks 人生 (life) as the topic of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
jinsei wa tsuzuku
Did you know?
- The verb 続く used in 人生は続く is the same word you will see at the end of a manga chapter or TV episode to signal 'to be continued'.
- While English speakers use 'life goes on' for resilience, Japanese speakers often use 仕方ない, meaning 'it cannot be helped', to express a similar stoic acceptance of hardship.
- The sentiment of life continuing is deeply tied to the Buddhist concept of 諸行無常, which teaches that all things are impermanent and constantly changing.
Examples in context
- 大丈夫だよ。何があっても、人生は続くわ。It's okay. No matter what happens, life goes on.
- 辛いことがあっても、人生は続く。tsurai koto ga atte mo, jinsei wa tsuzuku.Even if hard things happen, life goes on.
- 悲しいけれど、それでも人生は続く。kanashii keredo, soredemo jinsei wa tsuzuku.It is sad, but even so, life goes on.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking after a difficult breakup.
- 大翔 Hirotoまだショックで、前向きになれないよ。Mada shokku de, maemuki ni narenai yo.I'm still in shock and can't look forward.
- 美咲 Misaki今は無理しなくていいよ。でも、人生は続くから。Ima wa muri shinakute ii yo. Demo, jinsei wa tsuzuku kara.You don't have to force it now. But, life goes on.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだね。少しずつ慣れるしかないな。Sou da ne. Sukoshizutsu nareru shika nai na.You're right. I just have to get used to it little by little.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、大翔なら大丈夫だよ。Un, Hiroto nara daijoubu da yo.Yeah, you'll be okay, Hiroto.
