1.
passing away, death (Buddhist)
In Buddhist terminology, departing this world to be reborn in the Pure Land. By extension, used as a euphemism for dying or passing away.
祖母は安らかに往生した。
My grandmother passed away peacefully.
大往生を遂げた。
He died a peaceful death at a ripe old age.
長生きして大往生できれば、それが一番の幸せだ。
Living long and passing away peacefully would be the greatest happiness.
2.
being at a loss, being stuck, giving up
Being in a helpless situation where one has no choice but to accept or give in. Often implies reluctant resignation when faced with something unavoidable.
あの頑固さには往生した。
I was at a complete loss with that stubbornness.
渋滞で動けず、往生した。
I was stuck and helpless because of the traffic jam.
電車が止まって駅で二時間も往生させられた。
The train stopped and I was stranded at the station for two hours.
USAGE:
Originally a Buddhist term meaning rebirth in the Pure Land after death. Sense 1 remains a respectful euphemism for dying, especially a peaceful death. Sense 2 developed from the metaphorical idea of being "dead in the water" — stuck in a situation with no way out.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 大往生: peaceful death at an old age
- 往生する: to pass away; to be stuck/helpless
- 往生際が悪い: to not know when to give up
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 逝去: passing away (formal, honorific)
- 困る: to be troubled, at a loss (more casual, sense 2)