生まれ変わった
umarekawatta
The English word reborn is translated into Japanese as 生まれ変わった (umarekawatta).
生まれ変わった is an adjective used to describe someone who has been reborn. It is frequently used in the context of reincarnation or when expressing a hypothetical desire to be born again as someone or something else.
Meaning: reincarnated (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the verb umare (to be born) and kawaru (to change), literally meaning 'born and changed'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The dictionary form umarekawaru is used to express the concept of being reborn, while the form umarekawatta is the past tense used as an adjective to describe someone who has already been reborn.
How do you pronounce it?
umarekawatta
Did you know?
- While 'reborn' in English is often used for religious contexts, in Japanese the phrase 生まれ変わった is frequently used in marketing to describe 'new and improved' products or brands.
- In Japanese pop culture, the phrase 生まれ変わる is often linked to the concept of 'isekai', where characters are reborn into a fantasy world after a sudden death.
- The verb 変わる (kawaru) in the phrase implies a natural or spontaneous change, which differs from the transitive verb 変える (kaeru) that implies an intentional action.
Examples in context
- 生まれ変わったらカナダ人になりたい。I want to be reborn as a Canadian if I had the chance.This sentence shows how to express a hypothetical desire to be reborn as something else using 生まれ変わった.Tatoeba #3064175 by tommy_san, translation #3064557 by Tappity
- 生まれ変わったらヴァイオリン習いたい。If I were reborn, I would want to learn the violin.Tatoeba #3269124 by tommy_san, translation #3272088 by Aggriken
- 生まれ変わったような気分だ。Umarekawatta you na kibun da.I feel like I have been reborn.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their dream lives.
- 美咲 Misaki生まれ変わった時に、鳥になりたいな。umarekawatta toki ni, tori ni naritai na.I want to be a bird when I'm reborn.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれは自由でいいですね。sore wa jiyuu de ii desu ne.That sounds nice and free.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔くんは何になりたい？daito-kun wa nan ni naritai?What do you want to be, Daito?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕はかっこいいライオンになりたいです。boku wa kakkoii raion ni naritai desu.I want to be a cool lion.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reborn” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
