Japanese Words for Death

Get ready to dive into the fascinating and sometimes dark world of the Japanese language as we explore the different ways to say “death.” In this article, we will discuss the various words and expressions used to describe death and its cultural implications.

With a rich tapestry of words and expressions, Japanese offers a myriad of ways to describe and discuss death, from poetic and symbolic terms to more direct and factual descriptions. Ready to expand your Japanese vocabulary?

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Table of Contents

The meaning of Shi [死] – Death in Japanese

The most basic and direct word for “death” in Japanese is 死 (し, Shi). This simple and powerful word carries significant weight and is used in various situations, from everyday conversations to formal contexts.

“Shi” also appears in various expressions and word combinations, such as 死亡 (しぼう, Shibō) for “death” or “decease” and 死んでしまう (しんでしまう, Shinde shimau) for “to die” or “to pass away.”

The kanji 死 is a combination of the characters 歹 (がつへん, gatsuhen), which means “death,” and 匕 (ひ, hi), a pictogram representing a person leaning. Together, they convey the concept of death as a passage or transformation.

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[逝去] Seikyo – Venerable Death

The word 逝去 (せいきょ, Seikyo) is another way to say “death” in Japanese, but with a more respectful and reverent connotation. “Seikyo” is often used when referring to the death of important or respected individuals, such as leaders and public figures, highlighting the admiration and respect that society has for them.

“Seikyo” is composed of the kanjis 逝 (せい, Sei), which means “to depart” or “to go away,” and 去 (きょ, Kyo), which means “departure” or “decease.” Together, they convey the idea that death is a respectful and honorable departure from the world of the living.

[枯れる] Kareru – Death in Nature

Another interesting word related to death in Japanese is 枯れる (かれる, Kareru), which means “to die” or “to wither” in the context of plants and trees. “Kareru” is often used in poetry and literature to describe the passage of time and the transformation of life and nature.

The kanji 枯 (かれ, Kare) is composed of the characters 木 (き, Ki), which means “tree” or “wood,” and 歹 (がつへん, gatsuhen), which, as mentioned earlier, means “death.” Together, they illustrate death in nature, such as when a tree loses its life and withers. This poetic and symbolic image evokes the passage of time and the impermanence of life.

[亡くなる] Nakunaru – The Mysterious Death

The word 亡くなる (なくなる, Nakunaru) is another way to express “death” in Japanese, usually used in more informal contexts and everyday conversations. “Nakunaru” is a softer and more indirect way of referring to death, often used to avoid the more direct and heavy word “Shi.”

The kanji 亡 (な, Na) means “to disappear” or “to lose.” Combined with なる (く, naru), which indicates a change of state, “Nakunaru” conveys the idea that someone or something has disappeared or is gone, rather than directly referring to death.

[殺す] Korosu – The act of killing

The word 殺す (ころす, Korosu) is a verb in Japanese that means “to kill” or “to murder.” Unlike the other words mentioned earlier, “Korosu” does not only refer to the concept of death, but also implies an intentional and direct action resulting in someone’s death. “Korosu” is often used in contexts such as crimes, conflicts, and fictional stories.

The kanji 殺 (ころ, Koro) is composed of two characters: 歹 (がつへん, gatsuhen), which represents “death,” and 朱 (しゅ, Shu), which means “red” or “red ink.” Together, they symbolize the idea of violent or bloody death, related to a deliberate action of taking someone’s life.

“Korosu” also appears in various expressions and word combinations, such as 自殺 (じさつ, Jisatsu) for “suicide” and 殺人 (さつじん, Satsujin) for “homicide.” These variations highlight different aspects and contexts related to the act of killing and death itself.

With the inclusion of “Korosu,” we now have an even more complete picture of the various ways to approach death in the Japanese language, from general concepts to specific and intentional actions. This illustrates the complexity of the language and its ability to express a wide range of emotions, situations, and meanings related to this universal theme.

[寿命] – Jumyō – Natural Death

寿命 (じゅみょう, Jumyō) is a Japanese word that refers to life expectancy or the natural lifespan of a person. Although it does not directly mean “death,” it implies the end of life as a result of natural causes, such as age or non-violent diseases.

[突然死] – Totsuzenshi – Sudden Death in Japanese

突然死 (とつぜんし, Totsuzenshi) is a Japanese word that means “sudden death.” This word describes death that occurs unexpectedly and without warning, usually due to natural causes, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Other words related to death in Japanese

To conclude, we will leave a list of words related to death or killing in the Japanese language:

葬儀 (そうぎ, Sōgi) – Funeral
葬式 (そうしき, Sōshiki) – Funeral ceremony
墓 (はか, Haka) – Tomb
墓地 (ぼち, Bochi) – Cemetery
遺体 (いたい, Itai) – Corpse (alternative to 死体)
遺灰 (いかい, Ikai) – Ashes (after cremation)
遺族 (いぞく, Izoku) – Mourning family
弔う (とむらう, Tomurau) – To mourn, express condolences
喪 (も, Mo) – Mourning
葬列 (そうれつ, Sōretsu) – Funeral procession
霊柩車 (れいきゅうしゃ, Reikyūsha) – Hearse
火葬 (かそう, Kasō) – Cremation
冥土 (めいど, Meido) – World of the dead, underworld
生死 (せいし, Seishi) – Life and death
死神 (しにがみ, Shinigami) – God of death, Reaper
亡骸 (ながらえ, Nagarae) – Remains
菩提 (ぼだい, Bodai) – Spiritual enlightenment, liberation from the cycle of life and death (Buddhist concept)
鎮魂 (ちんこん, Chinkon) – Rest of the souls, eternal rest
遺言 (いげん, Igen) – Will, last words
墓参り (はかまいり, Hakamairi) – Visiting someone’s grave
悼む (いたむ, Itamu) – To mourn, feel the loss of someone
輪廻 (りんね, Rinne) – Cycle of rebirth and death, reincarnation (Buddhist concept)
死を迎える (しをむかえる, Shi o mukaeru) – To meet death, to die
遺品 (いひん, Ihin) – Deceased’s belongings, mementos

7 ways to say Death in Japanese