1.
to survive, to remain alive
To continue living through a dangerous or difficult situation such as a disaster, war, or illness.
奇跡的に生き残った。
I miraculously survived.
地震で家は壊れたが、家族全員が生き残った。
The house was destroyed in the earthquake, but the entire family survived.
戦争を生き残った人たちの証言が記録されている。
The testimonies of people who survived the war have been recorded.
2.
to survive (in competition), to remain viable
To continue to exist or stay relevant in a competitive environment such as business, sports, or evolution.
厳しい競争を生き残る。
To survive fierce competition.
この業界で生き残るのは簡単ではない。
It's not easy to survive in this industry.
変化に適応できた企業だけが市場で生き残ることができる。
Only companies that can adapt to change will be able to survive in the market.
USAGE:
A compound verb formed from 生きる (to live) + 残る (to remain). Intransitive — the subject is the person or thing that survives. Sense 1 refers to physical survival, while sense 2 extends to figurative survival in competitive contexts.
GRAMMAR:
- Godan verb (五段), intransitive
- を生き残る: can take を to mark the situation survived (e.g., 戦争を生き残る)
- 生き残り (noun form): survivor, survival
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 戦争を生き残る: to survive a war
- 競争を生き残る: to survive competition
- 奇跡的に生き残る: to miraculously survive