1.
remains, corpse, dead body
The body of a deceased person. A literary and respectful term, more elevated in register than 死体. Often used when treating the deceased with dignity.
亡骸は故郷に送られた。
The remains were sent to the deceased's hometown.
家族は亡骸の前で静かに手を合わせた。
The family quietly put their hands together in prayer before the remains.
戦場に残された兵士の亡骸を収容する作業が続けられた。
The work of recovering the remains of soldiers left on the battlefield continued.
A literary and respectful term for a dead body. Written with the kanji 亡き (deceased) + 骸 (shell, remains), though the word is often written in hiragana as なきがら.
DISTINCTIONS:
- 亡骸: literary, respectful; treats the body with dignity
- 遺体: formal, standard term for a dead body (news, official contexts)
- 死体: clinical, neutral; can sound cold or blunt
- 遺骨: remains (specifically bones/ashes after cremation)
USAGE NOTES:
亡骸 is primarily used in literary works, formal eulogies, and historical narratives. In everyday news reporting, 遺体 is preferred. 死体 is used in medical, forensic, and police contexts.