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A2 noun #1,500 am häufigsten 6 Min. Lesezeit

生命

seimei Top 1,500

At the A1 level, you might not use '生命' (seimei) often because it is a formal word. You will likely learn 'inochi' or 'seikatsu' first. However, you might see 'seimei' in very simple contexts like 'life insurance' (seimei hoken) or in basic science books. Think of it as the 'big' word for life. You don't need to use it in daily greetings, but knowing it helps you recognize formal signs or news titles. It is a noun that means 'the state of being alive'. For example, 'Earth has life' is a simple A1-style thought where seimei might appear.

At the A2 level, you begin to distinguish between different types of 'life'. You understand that 'seimei' is used for biological concepts. You might use it to describe nature or animals in a slightly more formal way. You should know that 'seimei' is often used in compound words. For instance, 'seimei-ryoku' (life force/vitality) is a common term to describe a plant that grows well. You are learning to use it in sentences like 'There is life on this planet' or 'Protecting life is important'. You also start to see the difference between this and 'seikatsu' (daily life).

At the B1 level, you can use 'seimei' in discussions about the environment, science, and health. You understand its role in formal Japanese (Keigo) and news reporting. You can explain the 'mystery of life' (seimei no shinpi) or discuss 'life insurance' in a business context. You are comfortable with the idea that 'seimei' is objective. You might use it in essays to contrast biological existence with human experience (jinsei). You also recognize it in more complex grammar structures, such as 'seimei ni kakawaru' (life-threatening).

At the B2 level, you use 'seimei' with precision in academic or professional settings. You can discuss 'bioethics' (seimei rinri) or 'life sciences' (seimei kagaku). You understand the nuance of using 'seimei' to give a sense of gravity and objectivity to your speech. You can analyze literature where 'seimei' is used to represent the collective vitality of nature. You are also aware of legal terms involving 'seimei', such as the right to life. Your vocabulary includes many idiomatic expressions and technical compounds involving these kanji.

At the C1 level, you have a deep philosophical understanding of '生命'. You can engage in complex debates about the definition of life, artificial life (jinkou seimei), and the ethical implications of genetic engineering. You appreciate the rhythmic and stylistic choices of using 'seimei' versus 'inochi' in high-level literature and speeches. You can use the word to discuss the 'tenacity of life' or the 'fragility of existence' in a way that sounds native and sophisticated. You understand historical and Buddhist influences on the concept of 'seimei' in Japanese culture.

At the C2 level, '生命' is a tool for nuanced expression in any field, from advanced molecular biology to existential philosophy. You can interpret and produce texts that use 'seimei' in highly abstract or metaphorical ways. You understand the etymological roots and how the concept has evolved in the Japanese language. You can use it to convey the most subtle shades of meaning in formal declarations, scientific breakthroughs, or profound artistic works. You are indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker in your use of this term.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

生命 in 30 Sekunden

Formal word for biological life.
Used in science, law, and insurance.
Distinct from daily life (seikatsu) and life story (jinsei).
Often appears in compounds like 生命力 (vitality).

The Japanese word 生命 (せいめい - seimei) is a profound noun that translates primarily to 'life' or 'existence' in a biological, scientific, or philosophical sense. Unlike the more common word 'inochi' (which is often used for the emotional or individual value of life), seimei carries a more formal and technical weight. It refers to the state of being alive, the vital force that distinguishes organic matter from inorganic matter, and the grand concept of life on Earth. In an A2 context, you might encounter it in discussions about nature, science, or formal news reports. It is the 'life' found in 'life insurance' or 'life forms' in outer space.

Biological Life: The fundamental quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead ones or inanimate objects. It encompasses the processes of growth, reproduction, and functional activity.

科学者は宇宙に生命を探しています。(Scientists are looking for life in space.)

Vitality and Force: It represents the energy or 'life force' that sustains a being. In literature, it can describe the vibrant energy of a forest or the sea.

この森には豊かな生命が溢れています。(This forest is overflowing with rich life.)

Legal and Formal Context: In legal terms, it refers to the right to life or the protection of life in insurance policies.

彼は生命保険に入りました。(He signed up for life insurance.)

新しい生命の誕生を祝う。(Celebrate the birth of a new life.)

海の生命を守る活動。(Activities to protect marine life.)

Using 生命 correctly requires understanding its register. It is rarely used in casual conversation to mean 'my life' or 'your life' in a friendly way. Instead, it appears in compound nouns and formal statements. For example, you wouldn't say 'My seimei is happy'; you would use 'jinsei' (life path) or 'seikatsu' (daily life). Seimei is used when discussing biology, ethics, or the preservation of species. It often functions as a noun that modifies other nouns (e.g., 生命科学 - life sciences).

Compound Nouns: It frequently attaches to other words to create specific terms like 生命保険 (life insurance), 生命維持装置 (life support system), and 生命力 (vitality/life force).

植物の強い生命力に驚いた。(I was surprised by the strong life force of the plants.)

Abstract Existence: When discussing the 'mystery of life' or 'the origin of life,' seimei is the standard choice.

生命の起源については諸説ある。(There are various theories about the origin of life.)

Threats to Life: In news reports about accidents or disasters, seimei is used to refer to the lives of the people involved in a formal, objective manner.

乗客の生命に別状はありません。(There is no threat to the lives of the passengers.)

火星に生命が存在する可能性。(The possibility of life existing on Mars.)

すべての生命は尊い。(All life is precious.)

You will encounter 生命 in various formal and professional settings. It is a staple of NHK news broadcasts, science documentaries, and medical dramas. When a doctor discusses a patient's condition in a formal report, they use seimei. When an environmentalist speaks about biodiversity, they refer to seimei. It is also common in advertisements for insurance companies (生命保険) and in academic lectures regarding biology or philosophy. In anime, you might hear it in sci-fi settings where characters discuss 'artificial life' (人工生命) or the 'life force' of the planet.

News and Media: Reports on natural disasters often use the phrase '生命の危険' (danger to life) to warn citizens.

大雨による生命の危険があります。(There is a danger to life due to heavy rain.)

Science and Education: Biology textbooks use 生命 to describe the characteristics of living things.

中学校で生命の進化について学ぶ。(Learn about the evolution of life in middle school.)

Medical Settings: Doctors use it when discussing life-threatening conditions or life-sustaining treatments.

患者の生命を救うために全力を尽くす。(Do everything possible to save the patient's life.)

地球以外の惑星に生命はいるか？(Is there life on planets other than Earth?)

生命倫理の問題について考える。(Think about the issues of bioethics.)

The most common mistake for learners is using 生命 where seikatsu (生活) or jinsei (人生) should be used. While all three can be translated as 'life' in English, they are not interchangeable. Seimei is biological life. Seikatsu is daily life (lifestyle, chores, living). Jinsei is the human life span or one's personal journey. Another mistake is using seimei in casual conversation when inochi would sound more natural and heartfelt. For example, saying 'I love my seimei' sounds like you love the biological fact that you are alive, rather than loving your existence.

Confusing with 生活 (Seikatsu): Mistake: 日本の生命は楽しいです (Japanese life is fun). Correct: 日本の生活は楽しいです. Seimei refers to biological existence, not your daily routine.

❌ 都会の生命は忙しい。 (City life is busy - Incorrect usage of seimei)

Confusing with 人生 (Jinsei): Mistake: 私の生命は長いです (My life is long). Correct: 私の人生は長いです. Jinsei refers to the human experience over time.

❌ 素晴らしい生命を送る。 (Lead a wonderful life - Incorrect usage of seimei)

Overly Formal Tone: Using seimei in a casual setting can make you sound like a scientist or a robot. Use いのち (inochi) for emotional weight.

❌ あなたの生命を大切にして。 (Take care of your life - Sounds too clinical)

❌ この犬の生命は短かった。 (This dog's life was short - いのち is better here)

❌ 生命を楽しんでください。 (Please enjoy life - 人生 is correct)

Understanding the nuances between different words for 'life' is crucial for Japanese proficiency. While 生命 is the most technical, others cover daily living, personal history, and the soul. Below is a comparison of the most common related terms.

生命 (Seimei) vs. いのち (Inochi): Seimei is objective and biological. Inochi is subjective, emotional, and often used in poetry or to express the preciousness of a single life.

生命の神秘 (The mystery of life - scientific) vs. いのちを大切にする (To cherish life - emotional)

生命 (Seimei) vs. 生活 (Seikatsu): Seikatsu refers to the act of living day-to-day—working, eating, and sleeping. It is 'lifestyle' or 'living'.

健康的な生活 (A healthy lifestyle) vs. 生命の維持 (Maintenance of life - biological)

生命 (Seimei) vs. 人生 (Jinsei): Jinsei is the 'human life' or the story of one's life from birth to death. It involves choices, careers, and relationships.

長い人生 (A long life/journey) vs. 生命の誕生 (The birth of life - biological event)

野生動物の生命力。 (The vitality of wild animals.)

彼は生命の尊厳について語った。 (He spoke about the dignity of life.)

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

地球には生命があります。

There is life on Earth.

Simple subject + ga arimasu.

これは生命保険の本です。

This is a book about life insurance.

Compound noun: 生命 + 保険.

生命は大切です。

Life is important.

Topic marker 'wa' + adjective.

海の中に生命がいます。

There is life in the sea.

Location + ni + subject + ga imasu.

新しい生命が生まれました。

A new life was born.

Past tense of umareru.

生命の色は何ですか？

What is the color of life?

Possessive 'no'.

水は生命に必要です。

Water is necessary for life.

Target marker 'ni'.

生命を守りましょう。

Let's protect life.

Volitional form 'mashou'.

火星に生命がいるかもしれません。

There might be life on Mars.

Kamoshiremasen (might).

この植物は生命力が強いです。

This plant has a strong life force.

Compound noun: 生命力.

生命の神秘を感じます。

I feel the mystery of life.

Object marker 'o' + kanjiru.

事故でしたが、生命に別状はありません。

It was an accident, but there is no threat to life.

Formal set phrase: 生命に別状はない.

科学者は生命の起源を調べています。

Scientists are investigating the origin of life.

Te-iru (progressive).

すべての生命を大切にしたいです。

I want to cherish all life.

Tai (want to).

生命の誕生は素晴らしいことです。

The birth of life is a wonderful thing.

Koto (nominalizer).

森は生命でいっぱいです。

The forest is full of life.

De ippai (full of).

生命倫理についてクラスで議論した。

We discussed bioethics in class.

Nitsuite (about).

生命維持装置を外すのは難しい決断だ。

Removing life support is a difficult decision.

No wa (nominalizing a phrase).

生命の尊厳を守らなければならない。

We must protect the dignity of life.

Nakereba naranai (must).

人工生命の研究が進んでいる。

Research on artificial life is progressing.

Progressive form.

生命の連鎖が壊れてしまう。

The chain of life will be broken.

Te shimau (regret/completion).

彼は生命の危険を顧みず助けに行った。

He went to help, disregarding the danger to his life.

O kaerimizu (without regarding).

生命科学の分野は急速に発展している。

The field of life sciences is developing rapidly.

Adverbial usage of kyusoku.

生命の不思議を解き明かしたい。

I want to solve the mysteries of life.

Tokiakashitai (want to solve).

生命のサイクルは永遠に続く。

The cycle of life continues forever.

Formal 'tsuzuku'.

知的生命体との接触を試みる。

Attempt to contact intelligent life forms.

O kokoro-miru (to attempt).

生命保険の契約内容を確認する。

Confirm the details of the life insurance contract.

Business vocabulary.

生命の躍動を感じる春の訪れ。

The arrival of spring where one feels the pulse of life.

Poetic noun modification.

生命への冒涜だと批判された。

It was criticized as a blasphemy against life.

Passive voice 'sareta'.

生命の限界に挑戦する登山家。

A mountain climber challenging the limits of life.

Genkai (limit).

生命の多様性を維持することが不可欠だ。

Maintaining biodiversity is essential.

Fukaketsu (essential).

生命現象を分子レベルで解析する。

Analyze life phenomena at the molecular level.

Technical 'kaiseki'.

生命の根源的な意味を問い直す。

Re-examine the fundamental meaning of life.

Toinaosu (to ask again).

生命の儚さを桜の花に重ねる。

Superimpose the fragility of life onto cherry blossoms.

Kasaneru (to overlap).

生命倫理の観点から慎重な議論を要する。

Requires careful discussion from a bioethical standpoint.

O yousu (to require).

生命の息吹が大地に満ちている。

The breath of life fills the earth.

Ibuki (breath/spirit).

生命の尊厳を脅かす行為は許されない。

Acts that threaten the dignity of life are inexcusable.

Yurusarenai (not permitted).

生命の営みは、時に残酷である。

The workings of life are sometimes cruel.

営み (workings/activities).

生命の進化の歴史は数億年に及ぶ。

The history of the evolution of life spans hundreds of millions of years.

Ni oyobu (to span/reach).

生命の本質を追究する哲学的な試み。

A philosophical attempt to pursue the essence of life.

Tsuikyuu (pursuit).

生命の根源に迫る画期的な発見。

A breakthrough discovery that approaches the root of life.

Ni semaru (to approach/draw near).

生命の連鎖を断ち切る環境破壊。

Environmental destruction that severs the chain of life.

Tachikiru (to sever).

生命の神秘を謳歌する詩的な表現。

Poetic expressions that celebrate the mystery of life.

Ouka (celebration/enjoyment).

生命の尊厳という普遍的な価値観。

The universal value of the dignity of life.

To iu (called/defining).

生命の火が消えゆく瞬間を看取る。

Witness the moment the flame of life fades away.

Kie-yuku (fading away).

生命の躍動をキャンバスにぶつける。

Throw the vibrancy of life onto the canvas.

Butsukeru (to throw/hit against).

生命の系譜を辿る壮大な物語。

An epic story tracing the lineage of life.

Tadoru (to trace).

生命の根源的欲求に根ざした行動。

Actions rooted in the fundamental desires of life.

Ni nezashita (rooted in).

Häufige Kollokationen

生命を守る

生命を救う

生命を維持する

生命を脅かす

生命が誕生する

生命が存在する

生命を落とす

生命を吹き込む

生命を捧げる

生命を尊ぶ

Häufige Phrasen

生命保険

生命力

生命科学

生命倫理

生命維持

生命の神秘

生命の危機

生命の起源

知的生命体

生命現象

Wird oft verwechselt mit

生命 vs 生活

Daily routine vs. biological life.

生命 vs 人生

Human life story vs. biological life.

生命 vs 一生

One's whole life/lifetime vs. biological life.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

Leicht verwechselbar

生命 vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

nuance

Seimei is objective; Inochi is subjective.

frequency

Common in formal writing, rare in casual speech.

Häufige Fehler

Using seimei for 'lifestyle'.
Using seimei to mean 'lifetime'.
Using seimei in a casual 'I love life' sense.
Confusing the pitch with 'seimei' (declaration/statement).
Miswriting the kanji for 'mei'.

Tipps

Learn Compounds

Learn it as part of 'Seimei Hoken' to remember it easily.

Noun Usage

Treat it as a formal noun that rarely changes form.

Nature Connection

Japanese people often associate seimei with the power of nature.

Tone Check

Use it to sound more academic or serious.

News Keywords

It's a frequent keyword in news about medicine or space.

Essay Tip

Great word to use in essays about the environment.

Kanji Recognition

Both kanji are very common; learn them together.

Scientific Life

Associate 'Sei' with 'Science' to remember the formal nuance.

Objective vs Subjective

Always choose seimei for objective facts.

Compare often

Keep comparing it with jinsei and seikatsu.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Middle Chinese compound.

Kultureller Kontext

Life is seen as a cycle (Rinko), often referred to as seimei in philosophical texts.

Life insurance (Seimei Hoken) is a massive industry in Japan.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"宇宙に生命はいると思いますか？"

"生命保険についてどう思いますか？"

"生命の神秘を感じたことはありますか？"

"生命科学の進歩はすごいですね。"

"すべての生命は平等だと思いますか？"

Tagebuch-Impulse

生命の尊さについて書いてください。

あなたが感じる『生命力』とは何ですか？

科学が生命を作ることに賛成ですか？

自然の中の生命について描写してください。

生命保険が必要な理由を考えてください。

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Usually no. Use 人生 (jinsei) for your life story or 生活 (seikatsu) for your daily life. 生命 is too scientific.

Yes, it is used for all living things including plants and bacteria.

生命 is formal/scientific; いのち is emotional/personal.

Yes, it is the standard term for life insurance in Japan.

It sounds strange. It means 'I like biological existence'. Better to say 'I love nature'.

As a given name, it's rare and usually read differently, but Abe no Seimei is a famous historical figure.

Use 生命力 (seimei-ryoku).

Yes, especially in sci-fi or fantasy when discussing souls or planetary energy.

It is generally considered A2/B1 level depending on the context.

Yes, it is Heiban (flat).