命
inochi[ino̞t͡ɕi]
The English word "life" can be translated into Japanese as either 命 (inochi) or 生命.
Meaning: the state of being alive (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 命 | inochi | [ino̞t͡ɕi] (narrow) [mʲiko̞to̞] (narrow) |
| 生命 | seimei | [se̞ːme̞ː] (narrow) |
Both words refer to the state of being alive, but they are used in different ways. 命 is the more common, emotive word used in daily conversation and literature when discussing the value or fragility of life.
Which one should you use?
命 is used when referring to the actual spark of life or the biological existence of a living being. In contrast, 生命 is used in more formal, scientific or academic contexts to refer to the concept of life or biological organisms.
How do you pronounce it?
inochi
Did you know?
- The word 命 can also mean 'destiny' or 'fate'. This comes from its history as a word for a divine command or instruction.
- The word 命 can be used in the phrase 命懸け to describe doing something with one's life on the line, often used for extreme effort in sports or work.
- While 命 is used for the spark of life, the word 人生 is used when referring to a person's life story or the years they have lived.
Examples in context
- 人の命は儚い。Human life is short.This sentence illustrates the fragility of human life using 命.Tatoeba #10723743 by small_snow, translation #7924224 by AlanF_US
- 彼の命が危ない。His life is in danger.This sentence shows how to describe a life being in danger using 命.Tatoeba #2432348 by bunbuku, translation #304059 by CK
- 金で命は償えない。Money cannot compensate for life.This sentence demonstrates that life cannot be compensated for with money using 命.Tatoeba #179762 by KK_kaku_, translation #18620 by Zifre
- 私の生活は充実しています。My life is fulfilling.
- 83 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are watching a documentary about nature in a cafe.
- 大翔 Hiroto小さな虫にも命があるんだね。Chiisana mushi ni mo inochi ga aru n da ne.Even tiny insects have life, don't they?
- 結衣 Yui本当に、命の不思議を感じるよ。Hontō ni, inochi no fushigi o kanjiru yo.Truly, I feel the wonder of life.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣は、命を大切にしたい派？Yui wa, inochi o taisetsu ni shitai ha?Yui, are you the type who wants to cherish life?
- 結衣 Yuiもちろん、そう思うよ。Mochiron, sō omou yo.Of course, I think so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “life” translations and entries 命, 生命, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 命, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
