Translation and Meaning of: 生 - ki

The Japanese word 生[き] is a fascinating term that carries deep meanings and varied uses in the language. If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about this expression, understanding its context can enrich your knowledge. In this article, we will explore everything from the basic meaning to cultural aspects and practical tips for memorization.

In addition to being a common word in everyday life, 生[き] appears in various expressions and compounds, making it essential for those who wish to communicate naturally. Let's dive into its origin, uses, and even how it is perceived in Japanese society. If you are looking for a reliable dictionary to deepen your studies, Suki Nihongo is an excellent option.

Meaning and origin of 生[き]

The term 生[き] is derived from the kanji 生, which means "life" or "birth." Its reading in hiragana is き (ki), and it often appears in compound words or as part of expressions. Originally, this kanji represents the idea of something alive, fresh, or raw, depending on the context in which it is used.

In the Japanese language, 生[き] can be found in various combinations, such as 生きる (ikiru - "to live") or 生きた (ikita - "alive"). Its origin dates back to ancient Chinese, where the character also carried meanings related to vitality and existence. This historical connection helps to understand why it remains so relevant today.

Everyday use and practical examples

In daily life, 生[き] is used in situations involving life, energy, or freshness. For example, the word 生き物 (ikimono) means "living being," while 生ビール (nama biiru) refers to unpasteurized beer. These examples show how the term adapts to different contexts without losing its essence.

Another interesting use is in expressions like 生きがい (ikigai), which means "reason for living" or "purpose." This word gained global popularity for representing a Japanese philosophical concept about happiness and personal fulfillment. It can be seen, then, that 生[き] goes beyond the literal meaning, even influencing cultural discussions.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to memorize 生[き] is to associate it with words you already know, such as 生きる (ikiru) or 生命 (seimei - "life"). Creating flashcards with practical examples also helps reinforce the term. Another tip is to pay attention to animes or dramas where the word appears, as context aids in understanding.

An interesting fact is that the kanji 生 is one of the most versatile in Japanese, with multiple readings and meanings. It can be read as "sei", "nama", or "ki", depending on the word it is in. This flexibility makes its learning challenging, but also more rewarding when mastered.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

  • いきる (ikiru) - live
  • せい (sei) - life; to exist
  • なま (nama) - raw; fresh
  • うまれる (umareru) - to be born
  • しょう (shou) - life (referring to vitality)
  • しょうじる (shoujiru) - happen; appear (in a life context)
  • うぶ (ubu) - spring; newborn
  • なまいき (namaiki) - arrogant; daring (can also refer to a carefree life)
  • なまごみ (namagomi) - organic waste; organic scraps
  • なまぐさ (namagusa) - with a strong smell (usually related to something organic)

Related words

生け花

ikebana

1. flower arrangement

生き物

ikimono

living being; animal

生きる

ikiru

to live; exist

生き生き

ikiiki

vividly; cheered up

生かす

ikasu

revive; resurrect; take advantage of

野生

yasei

wild

生やす

hayasu

to grow; grow crops; wear a beard

発生

hassei

outbreak; spring; occurrence; incidence; origin

生える

haeru

to grow; to emerge; cut (teeth)

年生

nensei

student in .... year; student in .... year

Romaji: ki
Kana:
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: pure; undiluted; raw; crude

Meaning in English: pure;undiluted;raw;crude

Definition: Life: It refers to the state of being alive and to life activities.

Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences

How to Write in Japanese - (生) ki

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

Example Sentences - (生) ki

See below some example sentences:

生臭い魚は食べたくない。

Namagusai sakana wa tabetakunai

I don't want to eat fish with bad smell.

I don't want to eat fresh fish.

  • 生臭い - shiokarai (strong, smelly smell)
  • 魚 - sakana (fish)
  • は - wa (topic particle)
  • 食べたくない - tabetakunai (I don't want to eat)
畜生め!

Chikushōme!

Curse you! or "Damn animal!"

Division!

  • 畜生 (chikushou) - a term of insult in Japanese that can be translated as "damned" or "wretched".
  • め (me) - an emphatic particle that can be added at the end of a word to give emphasis or intensity.
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.
生ける花は美しいです。

Ikeru hana wa utsukushii desu

The living flowers are beautiful.

The vibrant flowers are beautiful.

  • 生ける花 - ikeru hana (alive flower, flower arranged in a vase)
  • は - Topic particle
  • 美しい - beautiful (pretty, nice)
  • です - desu (verb to be)
生命は尊いものです。

Seimei wa toutoi mono desu

Life is precious.

Life is precious.

  • 生命 - Life
  • は - Topic particle
  • 尊い - precious
  • もの - Thing
  • です - Verb "to be" in polite form
熱帯雨林は生命の宝庫です。

Nettai urin wa seimei no hōko desu

Tropical forests are life's treasures.

The rainforest is a treasure of life.

  • 熱帯雨林 (nettai urin) - Tropical forest
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 生命 (seimei) - life
  • の (no) - Possession particle
  • 宝庫 (houko) - treasure
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present
歌を歌うことは私の生きる喜びです。

Uta wo utau koto wa watashi no ikiru yorokobi desu

Singing is the joy of my life.

Singing a song is my joy in life.

  • 歌を歌うこと (uta wo utau koto) - sing a song
  • は (wa) - Topic particle
  • 私の (watashi no) - my
  • 生きる (ikiru) - live
  • 喜び (yorokobi) - joy
  • です (desu) - Verb to be/estar
死ぬことは恐ろしいことではありません。生きることが恐ろしいことです。

Shinu koto wa osoroshii koto de wa arimasen. Ikiru koto ga osoroshii koto desu

Death is not a scary thing. Living is the scary thing.

Dying is not terrible. It's scary to live.

  • 死ぬことは恐ろしいことではありません。- "Dying is not a scary thing."
  • 生きることが恐ろしいことです。- "To live is the scary thing."
木が生える。

Ki ga haeru

Trees are growing.

Trees grow.

  • 木 - Means "tree" in Japanese.
  • が - It is a subject particle in Japanese, indicating that "tree" is the subject of the sentence.
  • 生える - It is a verb in Japanese that means "grow" or "sprout".
教育は人生を変える力を持っています。

Kyouiku wa jinsei wo kaeru chikara wo motteimasu

Education has the power to change people's lives.

Education has the power to change lives.

  • 教育 - Education
  • は - Topic particle
  • 人生 - Life
  • を - Direct object particle
  • 変える - change/transform
  • 力 - power/strength
  • を - Direct object particle
  • 持っています - To/have

Other Words of this Type: noun

See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun

古典

koten

Antique book; classics; classic

割り当て

wariate

Distribution; assignment; allocation; quota; rationing.

回覧

kairan

circulation

一帯

ittai

a region; a zone; The whole place

買い物

kaimono

shopping

Life