How to Talk About Death in Japanese: Words, Phrases & Cultural Insights
Learn How to Discuss Death in Japanese Respectfully and Accurately
Talking about death is never easy, especially in another language.
In every language and culture, expressions and practices related to death are tied to the religious and traditional customs and beliefs of that culture.
In Japanese, there are specific words, expressions, and cultural norms used when discussing death, mourning, and funerals.
The word for ‘death’ itself is sometimes used directly, but it is far more common for Japanese people to discuss this concept using euphemisms.
This article will explore some of these expressions and then explain the cultural influences underpinning the way that Japanese people view death.
Death in Japanese || Expressions of “Death” in Japanese
Death in Japanese || More Advanced Expressions
Death in Japanese || Cultural Perspectives on Death
Death in Japanese || FAQs
Death in Japanese || Expressions of “Death” in Japanese
Death is literally translated into 死 し shi in Japanese.
However, just as in English, there are various euphemisms for “death” in Japanese, such as “pass away.” Let us list them first.
| JAPANESE | ROMAJI | ENGLISH |
| 逝去する せいきょする | seikyo suru | pass away |
| 永眠する えいみんする | eimin suru | to rest in eternal rest |
| 亡くなる なくなる / お亡くなりになる おなくなりになる | nakunaru / onakunari ni naru | die |
|
昇天する
しょうてん | shouten suru | ascend to heaven |
| 往生する おうじょうする | oujou suru | die |
| 旅立つ たびだ | tabidatsu | departure |
| 息を引き取る いきひきとる | iki wo hikitoru | draw one’s terminal breath |
| 帰らぬ人となる かえらぬひとなる | kaeranu hito to naru | never return |
逝去 せいきょ seikyo and 永眠 えいみん eimin would be used most frequently to mean “death.” These two are frequently used as official announcements, such as in newspapers and company notices.
去るx月y日、弊社代表取締役〇〇が〇歳にて永眠いたしました。
さる x がつ y にちへいしゃだいひょうとりしまりやく〇〇が〇さいにてえいみいたしました。saru x gatsu y nichi, heisha daihyou torishimariyaku 〇〇 ga 〇 sai nite eimin itashimashita.
We regret to inform you that our representative director, Mr. 00, passed away at the age of 0 on x/y.
These two are written expressions and are most commonly used in daily conversation.
彼のお母さんが亡くなったらしい。
かれのお母さんがななったらしい。kare no okaasan ga nakunatta rashii.
I heard that his mother passed away.
あの方はもうお亡くなりになりました。
あのかたはもうおなくなりになりました。ano kata wa mou onakunari ni narimashita.
That man has passed away.
昇天 しょうてん shouten literally means the Ascension. In other words, it is a Christian-influenced expression.
往生 おうじょう oujou means “go there and live.” This is a Buddhist-inspired expression, which means to go and live in paradise.
旅立つ たびだつ tabidatsu can be also used to mean “depart for a trip.” By context, we know that this means to die.
彼は長いこと療養していたが、先日とうとう旅立った。
かれはながいことりょうようしていたが、せんじつ日とうとうたびだった。kare wa nagaikoto ryouyou shiteitaga, senjitu toutou tabidatta.
He had been recuperating for a long time and finally passed away the other day.
息を引き取る いきをひとる iki wo hikitoru corresponds to “draw one’s terminal breath.”
帰らぬ人となる かえらぬひととなる kaeranu hito to naru is “to become a one who never returns.” These two are literary expressions and would not be used much in conversation.
These are commonly used euphemisms for “death”. If you remember these, you should have no problems in your daily life and work in Japan.
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Death in Japanese || More Advanced Expressions
For those who want to know more advanced expressions, I present the following expressions. These do not come up very often in everyday situations, but if you know them, you will be considered a fairly advanced Japanese speaker.
崩御
ほうぎょhougyo
おかくれになるokakure ni naru
崩御 ほうぎ ょ hougyo is used only for the emperor and other members of the royal family, kings, etc.
昭和天皇の崩御
しょうわてんのうのほうぎょShouwa tennou no hougyo
The fall of Emperor Showa
“Okakure ni naru” literally means “to hide” and is also used exclusively for the emperor, but it is used only in ancient texts.
In Japanese mythology, when Japanese gods “hide,” it means they are dead.
幽明境を異にする
ゆうめいさかいをことにする
yuumei sakai wo kotoni sur
鬼籍に入る
きせきにいる
kiseki ni iru
These two are also very literary expressions.
幽 ゆう yuu means the spiritual world and 明 めい mei means the present world. 境 さかい sakai means border, so this expression literally means “to cross the border between the present world and the spiritual world.”
鬼 き ki can also be read “oni.” Oni are a type of yokai or evil spirit that appears in traditional Japanese folklore, literature, art, and festivals.
籍 せき seki means a census register. So “kiseki ni iru” means “to be registered in the census list managed by evil spirits.” This is a very interesting expression.
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Death in Japanese || Cultural Perspectives on Death
The Japanese view of death has been shaped by three religious influences: Shinto, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
Each religion has its own unique view of life and death, which are fused together in Japanese culture.
神道 しんとう Shinto is an ancient Japanese religion that emphasizes nature worship and ancestor worship. In Shinto, death is considered 穢れ けがれ kegare / unclean.
Death itself is considered impure, and is thought to affect the living. For this reason, purification rites called 禊 みそ misogi – purification rituals are performed after coming into contact with the dead.
For example, when Japanese people return from a funeral, they sprinkle salt on their entrance and their bodies before entering their homes.
Salt is believed to have purifying powers and is thought to wash away the impurity that comes in contact with death.
If you have ever watched sumo, you may have seen wrestlers sprinkling salt before a match. This practice is also based on the idea of purifying the ring with salt.
Salt is sometimes heaped in front of the entrance to Japanese restaurants and houses. This is also a custom that is performed in anticipation of the salt’s ability to ward off evil.
Buddhism 仏教 ぶっきょう – bukkyou was introduced to Japan in the 6th century and has since had a profound influence on the Japanese view of life and death. In Buddhism, death is not considered to be the end, but the beginning of a new life.
There is a concept of reincarnation, the repetition of life and death, and it is believed that by accumulating good deeds, one will have a better next life.
Buddhist funeral rites are important ceremonies that help the souls of the dead to pass away safely to the next world. The recitation of sutras by monks and the conferring of precepts help the deceased to attain Buddhahood and be liberated from samsara.
The name 戒名 かいみょう kaimyo is given based on the deceased’s conduct during his or her life and the judgment of the monk, and is meant to pray for peace after death.
Confucianism 儒教 じゅきょう jukyou came from China and had a profound influence on social ethics and family relations in Japan.
Confucianism regards filial piety to one’s parents as the most important virtue, and stresses the importance of remembering to honor one’s parents not only during one’s lifetime but also after death.
This is deeply rooted in the Japanese family structure and the custom of ancestral memorial services. The visits to graves 墓参り はかまいり haka mairi, お盆 おぼん obon and other events to honor the spirits of ancestors are all influenced by Confucianism.
お盆 おぼん obon is held annually in July or mid-August, and although the timing varies by region, most commonly it is for four days, from August 13 to 16. During this period, families believe that the spirits of their ancestors will return to their homes and hold various ceremonies and events.
That’s all for this time!
Expressions and customs related to death are one of the most difficult things to understand, especially for foreigners. It is a good idea to start by trying to remember the expressions in this guide.
Death in Japanese || FAQs
How do you say death in Japanese?
The basic word for death in Japanese is 死 (し, shi). However, this word is often avoided in polite conversation due to its directness and cultural sensitivity.
How do you express condolences in Japanese?
A common phrase to express condolences is ご愁傷様です (ごしゅうしょうさまです, goshūshō-sama desu), which roughly means “I’m sorry for your loss.” It’s used in formal or respectful situations.
What influences the Japanese view of life and death?
Indigenous and foreign beliefs, such as Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, have greatly influenced the Japanese view of life and death and religious beliefs.
How do Japanese funerals typically work?
Japanese funerals often follow Buddhist traditions and include a wake, cremation, and a family gathering. Guests usually bring condolence money in special envelopes called 香典 (こうでん, kōden).
Why is salt sometimes heaped in front of Japanese houses?
Salt is often placed before people’s houses as it is believed to ward off evil. It is also customary to sprinkle salt when returning from a funeral.
What does hide mean in Japanese?
The word “hide” is sometimes used as a euphemism for the death of mythological gods.
What is 崩御 [ほうぎょ] hougyo?
Hougyo is a term for the death of a nobleman.
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