Translation and Meaning of: 人生 - jinsei

If you are learning Japanese or just curious about the language, you may have come across the word 人生 (じんせい). It appears in conversations, songs, books, and even in animes, carrying a profound meaning that goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what this word represents, how it is used in everyday Japanese, and why it is so relevant in the culture of the country. Additionally, we will see tips for memorizing it and understanding its context in common sentences.

The meaning and origin of 人生

The word 人生 (じんせい) is composed of two kanjis: 人 (person) and 生 (life). Together, they form the concept of "human life" or "existence." Unlike just 生命 (せいめい), which refers to biological life, 人生 encomes the personal journey, experiences, and the path each individual takes. This distinction is important for understanding why it appears so often in philosophical and artistic discussions in Japan.

The origin of the term dates back to classical Chinese, but it was incorporated into Japanese with a more introspective meaning. While in other languages the word "life" can be generic, the Japanese use 人生 to specifically refer to individual journeys, including challenges, learnings, and significant moments. This nuance makes all the difference when reading or hearing the word in real contexts.

How 人生 is used in everyday Japanese

In daily life, Japanese people use 人生 in phrases that express reflection or advice. Expressions like 人生は一度きり (life only happens once) and 人生の岐路 (a turning point in life) are common and show how the term is related to important decisions. It is also frequently used in motivational speeches, where the emphasis is on making the most of the available time.

Another interesting use is in combination with other kanjis, such as 人生観 (じんせいかん), which means "view of life." This flexibility allows the word to appear in various contexts, from informal conversations to literary texts. If you watch dramas or read manga, you've probably seen it in exciting dialogues or in moments of great narrative impact.

Tips for memorizing and using 人生 correctly

An effective way to 人生 is to associate it with abstract ideas like "journey" or "personal story." This helps differentiate it from other words like 生活 (せいかつ), which refers to everyday lifestyle. A practical tip is to create flashcards with phrases like 人生で大切なこと (what is important in life) to practice its use in real contexts.

Interestingly, the kanji 生 by itself already provides a valuable clue: it can also be read as "iki" (breath), reinforcing the idea that 人生 is not just about existing, but about living fully. This etymological connection facilitates memorization and deepens the cultural understanding behind the word.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • 人生 (Jinsei) - Life (focusing on a person's experience and life journey)
  • 一生 (Isshō) - A life (usually refers to the period of a person's life, from birth to death)
  • 生涯 (Shōgai) - Career or lifetime (emphasizes the total course of life and may include achievements)
  • 人道 (Jindō) - Human path (related to nature and morality of human life)
  • 人間生活 (Ningen Seikatsu) - Human life (refers to the way of living of humanity and its interactions)

Related words

安定

antei

stability; balance

新しい

atarashii

new

商人

akiudo

trader; merchant; retailer

waga

my; our

身の上

minoue

someone's future; the good -to be from someone; someone's personal story

惨め

mijime

miserable

悲劇

higeki

tragedy

望み

nozomi

wish

多忙

tabou

busy; work pressure

生涯

shougai

one's life (i.e. existence until death)

人生

Romaji: jinsei
Kana: じんせい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Life (i.e. conception to death)

Meaning in English: life (i.e. conception to death)

Definition: Time and experiences from birth to death.

Quick Access
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- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (人生) jinsei

See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (人生) jinsei:

Example Sentences - (人生) jinsei

See below some example sentences:

幸せは人生の最高の目的です。

Shiawase wa jinsei no saikou no mokuteki desu

Happiness is the ultimate goal of life.

Happiness is the best purpose of life.

  • 幸せ - happiness
  • は - Topic particle
  • 人生 - life
  • の - Possession particle
  • 最高 - the best
  • の - Possession particle
  • 目的 - objective
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
希望は人生のエネルギーです。

Kibou wa jinsei no enerugii desu

Hope is the energy of life.

Hope is the energy of life.

  • 希望 (kibou) - hope
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 人生 (jinsei) - life
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • エネルギー (enerugii) - energy
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
学歴は人生を決めるわけではない。

Gakureki wa jinsei o kimeru wake de wa nai

Academics do not determine life.

Educational formation does not determine life.

  • 学歴 - means "school report" or "academic formation".
  • は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "学歴".
  • 人生 - means "human life."
  • を - object particle that indicates that "人生" is the direct object of the sentence.
  • 決める - verb that means "to decide" or "to determine".
  • わけ - noun that means "reason" or "motive".
  • ではない - negative expression that means "it isn't."
哲学は人生の意味を探求する学問です。

Tetsugaku wa jinsei no imi o tankyū suru gakumon desu

Philosophy is the study that seeks the meaning of life.

Philosophy is a study that explores the meaning of life.

  • 哲学 - philosophy
  • は - Topic particle
  • 人生 - human life
  • の - Possession particle
  • 意味 - Meaning
  • を - direct object particle
  • 探求する - investigate, explore
  • 学問 - academic discipline
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
喜びは人生の素晴らしい瞬間です。

Yorokobi wa jinsei no subarashii shunkan desu

Happiness is a wonderful moment in life.

Joy is a wonderful moment in life.

  • 喜び - joy
  • は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
  • 人生 - life
  • の - Particle that indicates possession
  • 素晴らしい - amazing
  • 瞬間 - time
  • です - Verb to be/estar in the present
力は人生で重要な要素です。

Chikara wa jinsei de juuyou na youso desu

Strength is an important element in life.

Power is an important factor in life.

  • 力 (chikara) - strength, power
  • は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
  • 人生 (jinsei) - human life
  • で (de) - grammatical particle that indicates the means or place where something happens
  • 重要 (juuyou) - important
  • な (na) - grammatical particle that indicates the adjectivization of a noun
  • 要素 (yousou) - element, component
  • です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form
信仰は人生の支えです。

Shinkou wa jinsei no sasae desu

Faith is the of life.

Faith is the of life.

  • 信仰 - belief, faith
  • は - Topic particle
  • 人生 - human life
  • の - Possession particle
  • 支え -
  • です - verb to be in the polite form
修行は人生を豊かにする。

Shugyou wa jinsei wo yutaka ni suru

Ascetic practice enriches life.

Training enriches life.

  • 修行 - practice, training, discipline
  • は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
  • 人生 - human life
  • を - grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
  • 豊か - rich, abundant, prosperous
  • に - grammatical particle that indicates transformation or change of state
  • する - do, carry out, practice
住宅は私たちの人生の中で最も大きな買い物の一つです。

Jūtaku wa watashitachi no jinsei no naka de mottomo ōkina kaimono no hitotsu desu

A house is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

Housing is one of the biggest purchases in our lives.

  • 住宅 (juutaku) - house, residence
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 私たち (watashitachi) - we, our
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 人生 (jinsei) - life
  • の中で (no naka de) - Inside of
  • 最も (mottomo) - the most, the most important
  • 大きな (ookina) - large
  • 買い物 (kaimono) - purchase, purchase of goods
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 一つ (hitotsu) - one of the
  • です (desu) - verb to be, to stay
人生はいつか絶える。

Jinsei wa itsuka taeru

Life one day ends.

Life will end someday.

  • 人生 (jinsei) - Life
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • いつか (itsuka) - someday
  • 絶える (taeru) - finish, end

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

人生