Translation and Meaning of: 生きる - ikiru

If you're studying Japanese, you have certainly come across the verb 生きる (いきる), which means "to live" or "to exist". But do you deeply know the origin of this word, how it is used in daily life, or even how to memorize it efficiently? In this article, we will explore the etymology, the pictogram, and the meaning of いきる, as well as practical tips to fix it in your mind. Here at Suki Nihongo, you can also find examples of ready-made sentences to study in Anki or another spaced repetition system, making your learning more dynamic.

Many people search on Google not only for the translation of 生きる, but also how to differentiate it from other related terms about life, such as 生活する (せいかつする) or 命 (いのち). Furthermore, there are those who want to understand why this verb appears so often in songs, poems, and even tattoos. Let's unravel all of this below!

Etymology and origin of the kanji 生きる

The kanji 生, which makes up the word 生きる, has a fascinating history. It derives from an ancient pictogram that represented a plant sprouting from the earth, symbolizing life and growth. If you look closely, you can still see this image in the modern stroke of the character. The radical 生 appears in various other words related to existence, such as 生命 (せいめい) (life, existence) and 生まれる (うまれる) (to be born).

The suffix きる (kiru) is a verbal form that indicates continuous action or completion, depending on the context. When combined with 生, it reinforces the idea of "being alive" or "staying alive". Interestingly, this same suffix appears in verbs like 歩きる (あるきる), which means "to walk continuously", showing how the Japanese language uses patterns to construct meanings.

Everyday use and popular expressions

In daily life, the Japanese use 生きる in ways that go beyond the literal meaning of "to exist." For example, the phrase 自分のために生きる (じぶんのためにいきる) means "to live for oneself," carrying a connotation of authenticity and purpose. In more dramatic contexts, such as in films or dramas, it is common to hear 生きてくれ！(いきてくれ！), which would be something like "Please, stay alive!" — an emotional plea in dangerous situations.

Another interesting use is in the expression 生き甲斐 (いきがい), which means "reason for living" or "purpose in life." This word is often associated with the Japanese philosophy of finding meaning in work, hobbies, or relationships. If you have ever watched any anime or read manga such as "Vagabond" or "Vinland Saga," you have probably noticed how this concept is deeply explored in the stories.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 生きる is to associate it with vivid images. Think of the kanji 生 as a plant growing under the sun, while the sound いき reminds you of breathing (息, いき). This visual and phonetic connection helps to solidify the word in the brain. Another tip is to create flashcards with phrases like 今日を生きる (きょうをいきる) — "live the today" — which bring an emotional context to the learning.

Did you know that 生きる also appears in puns and word games? In some regional dialects, especially in Osaka, you might hear jokes like いきいきしてる？ (いきいきしてる？), which playfully uses the repetition of the verb to ask if someone is "full of life." These nuances show how the Japanese language is rich in colloquial expressions that go far beyond dictionaries.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 生存する (seizon suru) - Survive, exist in the form of life.
• 在る (aru) - To be, to exist in a more general way, without implication of life.
• 存在する (sonzai suru) - To exist, to have presence, can be in a tangible or intangible way.
• 生き残る (ikinokoru) - Surviving, especially in adverse conditions.
• 生命を保つ (seimei o tamotsu) - Maintain life, preserve living existence.
• 生命を維持する (seimei o iji suru) - To maintain, sustain life, focusing on biological continuity.
• 生き続ける (iki tsuzukeru) - Continue living, persist in life.
• 存続する (sonzoku suru) - Persist, continue to exist over time.
• 存在し続ける (sonzai shi tsuzukeru) - Continue to exist, focusing on the notion of permanence.
• 存在を続ける (sonzai o tsuzukeru) - Persist in existence, similar to existing continuously.

生きる

Romaji: ikiru
Kana: いきる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: to live; exist

Meaning in English: to live;to exist

Definition: Exist with life.

Example Sentences - (生きる) ikiru

See below some example sentences:

基本に忠実に生きる。

Kihon ni chūjitsu ni ikiru

Live true to the basics.

Live faithfully to the basics.

• 基本 - means "foundations" or "basic principles".
• に - is a particle that indicates the relationship between two things, in this case, between "基本" and "忠実".
• 忠実 - means "loyal" or "faithful".
• に - again the particle that indicates the relationship between "忠実" and "生きる".
• 生きる - means "to live".

有りのままで生きる

arino mamade ikiru

Live as if it is

Live as it is

• 有り - means "to exist" or "to be present".
• の - a grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship.
• まま - It means "as it is" or "in the current condition."
• で - a grammatical particle that indicates the means or the way something is done.
• 生きる - means "to live".

正に生きる。

Seikini ikiru

Live positively.

Live to the right.

• 正 - means "correct" or "fair" in Japanese.
• に - It is a particle that indicates the means or the way in which something is done.
• 生きる - signifies "to live" in Japanese.

The phrase "正に生きる" can be translated as "to live correctly" or "to live justly."

気楽に生きる。

kiraku ni ikiru

Live relaxed in a relaxed way.

Live comfortably.

• 気楽 (kiraku) - means "relaxed" or "carefree"
• に (ni) - a part750cle that indicates the way something is done
• 生きる (ikiru) - means "to live"

生きることは素晴らしいことです。

Ikiru koto wa subarashii koto desu

Living is a wonderful thing.

Living is great.

• 生きること - live
• は - Topic particle
• 素晴らしい - amazing
• こと - thing
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

私たちはゆとりを持って生きることが大切だと思います。

Watashitachi wa yutori o motte ikiru koto ga taisetsu da to omoimasu

I think it's important to live with lots of space.

• 私たち - 「私たち」
• は - Japanese topic particle
• ゆとり - "Space" or "Margin" in Japanese
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 持って - "Have" or "Keep" in Japanese
• 生きる - "Viver" in Japanese
• こと - nominal particle in Japanese
• が - Subject particle in Japanese.
• 大切 - "importante" in Japanese
• と - Japanese quotation particle
• 思います - "Think" in Japanese (polite form)

自在に生きる。

Jizai ni ikiru

Living free.

Live freely.

• 自在に - freely
• 生きる - live

解放された国民は自由に生きることができる。

Kaihō sareta kokumin wa jiyū ni ikiru koto ga dekiru

Liberated people can live freely.

• 解放された - freed
• 国民 - citizens
• は - Topic particle
• 自由に - freely
• 生きる - live
• ことが - nominal particle
• できる - Be able to

農家は自然と共に生きる。

Nōka wa shizen to tomo ni ikiru

Farmers live with nature.

• 農家 - farmer
• は - Topic particle
• 自然 - nature
• と - connecting particle
• 共に - together
• 生きる - live

私たちはお互いを支え合って生きていく必要がある。

Watashitachi wa otagai o sasaete ikiteiku hitsuyou ga aru

We need to live supporting each other.

We need to support each other and live.

• 私たちは - We
• お互いを - each other
• 支え合って - supporting each other
• 生きていく - live
• 必要がある - Is required