1.
death
The cessation of life; the state of being dead. Used as a direct, uneuphemistic term for death in medical, philosophical, literary, and everyday contexts.
死を恐れない。
To not fear death.
彼の突然の死に皆驚いた。
Everyone was shocked by his sudden death.
哲学では古くから生と死について様々な議論がなされてきた。
In philosophy, various discussions about life and death have been conducted since ancient times.
USAGE:
A direct and uneuphemistic word for death. The pair 生と死 (life and death) is a common philosophical pairing. In compounds, 死 appears as a prefix or suffix in many words related to death (e.g., 死因, 死者, 死去).
NOTE ON READING:
The number 4 (四) is considered unlucky in Japanese culture because it is a homophone of 死 (death). This superstition affects building floor numbering, hospital room numbers, and gift-giving.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 生と死: life and death
- 死を恐れる: to fear death
- 死に直面する: to face death
- 死を覚悟する: to resign oneself to death
- 脳死: brain death