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:

生き物は自然の中で大切な存在です。

Ikimono wa shizen no naka de taisetsu na sonzai desu

Living beings are important beings in nature.

Creatures are important in nature.

• 生き物 - means "living beings" in Japanese.
• は - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "living beings".
• 自然 - Means "nature" in Japanese.
• の - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words, in this case, "nature".
• 中 - means "in the middle of" or "inside" in Japanese.
• で - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the place where something happens, in this case, "within nature".
• 大切 - means "important" or "valuable" in Japanese.
• な - Japanese grammatical particle that indicates an adjective.
• 存在 - means "existence" in Japanese.
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates the existence or identity of something.

常に前向きに生きよう。

Tsuneni maemuki ni ikiyou

Let's always live positively.

Always live positively.

• 常に - always
• 前向きに - in a positive, optimistic way
• 生きよう - let's live

感謝の気持ちを忘れずに生きていきたい。

Kansha no kimochi wo wasurezu ni ikiteikitai

I want to live without forgetting my gratitude.

• 感謝の気持ち - Feeling of gratitude
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 忘れずに - Without forgetting
• 生きていきたい - I want to live

瞬間を逃さずに生きよう。

Shunkan wo nogasazu ni ikiyou

Let's live without losing a single moment.

Let's live without losing the moment.

• 瞬間 (shunkan) - time
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 逃さずに (nogasazu ni) - without losing, without letting slip
• 生きよう (ikiyou) - let's live