生まれ変わり
umarekawari[ɯ̟ma̠ɾe̞ka̠β̞a̠ɾʲi]
Rebirth in Japanese is translated as 生まれ変わり (umarekawari). Wiktionary also lists 輪廻転生 (rinnetenshō).
Meaning: reincarnation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 生まれ変わり | umarekawari | [ɯ̟ma̠ɾe̞ka̠β̞a̠ɾʲi] (narrow) |
| 輪廻転生 | rinnetenshō |
The concept of rebirth can be expressed through several different terms depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
生まれ変わり is the common, everyday way to express the concept of being reborn or a reincarnation. In contrast, 輪廻転生 is a formal, Buddhist-derived term specifically referring to the cycle of samsara (the cycle of death and rebirth).
How do you pronounce it?
umarekawari
Did you know?
- The word 'kawaru' in 生まれ変わり is the same verb used when you 'change' your clothes or 'change' your mind.
- Japanese folklore sometimes describes 'precocious children' as 生まれ変わり of ancestors, explaining their wisdom as a result of a previous life.
- While 生まれ変わり describes a person or soul being reborn, it is also used in a metaphorical sense to describe a company or a brand undergoing a complete transformation.
Examples in context
- 彼は転生の可能性について語ったHe spoke about the possibility of rebirth.
- 社会の再生が必要だSociety needs rebirth or revival.
- 私の人生は復活の時を迎えたMy life has experienced a rebirth.
- 私は生まれ変わりたいと思っているI want to be reborn.
- 彼女は新しい人生をやり直すことを決めたShe decided to start her life anew.
- 彼は転生の意味について研究していますHe is researching the meaning of rebirth.
- 彼女の心は生まれ変わりましたHer heart has been reborn.
- 生まれ変わりを信じています。Umarekawari o shinjite imasu.I believe in reincarnation.
- 生まれ変わりの物語が大好きです。Umarekawari no monogatari ga daisuki desu.I love stories about reincarnation.
- 生まれ変わりがあればいいのに。Umarekawari ga areba ii noni.I wish there were reincarnation.
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about life after death.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵は生まれ変わりについてどう思う？Himari wa umarekawari ni tsuite dou omou?Himari, what do you think about reincarnation?
- 陽葵 Himari本当に生まれ変わりがあるなら素敵だね。hontou ni umarekawari ga aru nara suteki da ne.It would be wonderful if rebirth really existed.
- 蓮 Ren次は鳥に生まれ変わりたいな。tsugi wa tori ni umarekawaritai na.I want to be reincarnated as a bird next time.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮は自由になりたいんだね。Ren wa jiyuu ni naritai nda ne.You want to be free, Ren.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rebirth” translations and entries 生まれ変わり, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
