死ぬ
shinu[ɕinɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase 死ぬ (shinu) means to stop living or to pass away.
死ぬ is used to describe the act of dying. It is an intransitive verb, which means it does not take a direct object in a sentence.
Which one should you use?
While 死ぬ is the standard dictionary form, other variations change the tone and intent. For example, the command form 死ね is direct and confrontational, while the informal 死んじゃう can be used to humorously exaggerate being extremely tired or overwhelmed.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you attach the particle と (to) to the form 死ぬと, it can express a natural consequence, such as 'if one dies'. For a polite way to state that someone has passed away in the past, use 死にました (shinimashita).
How do you pronounce it?
shinu
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the word 死 (shi) is avoided in many contexts because it is a homophone for the number four, which is associated with death.
- Because 死ぬ is a very blunt term, Japanese speakers often use the phrase なくなる (nakunaru), meaning 'to become gone', as a gentle euphemism for passing away.
- The term 死ぬ may have originally been a combination of the word for 'death' and the verb 'to go away' or 'to disappear'.
Examples in context
- 多くの人々が地震で死亡しました。Many people died in the earthquake.
- 猫が死ぬのはとても悲しいです。Neko ga shinu no wa totemo kanashii desu.It is very sad when a cat dies.
- 植物に水をあげないと死ぬよ。Shokubutsu ni mizu o agenai to shinu yo.If you don't water the plants, they will die.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a character in a movie.
- 陽太 Yota主人公は最後に死ぬの？Shujinkou wa saigo ni shinu no?Does the protagonist die at the end?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、死ぬんだよ。Un, shinu nda yo.Yes, he dies.
- 陽太 Yotaそんなの悲しすぎるよ。Sonna no kanashisugiru yo.That is too sad.
- 美咲 Misakiでも、すごく感動的な結末だよ。Demo, sugoku kandouteki na ketsumatsu da yo.But it is a very moving ending.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 死ぬ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 死ぬ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
