synonym Comparative
他界
VS
往生
Differences Between "他界" and "往生"
Option A
他界
Meaning
death, passing away, the other world
Reading
たかい (takai)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
祖父は昨年、静かに他界しました。
My grandfather passed away peacefully last year.
Option B
往生
Meaning
(Buddhism) rebirth in paradise; peaceful death; (informal) giving up, being at one's wit's end
Reading
おうじょう (ōjō)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
彼は長年の闘病の末、静かに往生した。
After years of battling illness, he passed away peacefully.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(death, passing away, the other world)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 他界: 「死ぬ」の遠回しな言い方で、より丁寧で穏やかな表現です。特に、故人に対する敬意を込めて使われます。 (A euphemistic and more polite way to say 'die.' It is used with respect for the deceased.)
- 往生: Has both a formal/religious meaning (peaceful death, rebirth in paradise) and an informal, colloquial meaning (giving up, being defeated, being at one's wit's end). The informal usage is common in phrases like「往生際が悪い」(ōjōgiwa ga warui - reluctant to give up).
- 他界: 「死ぬ」の遠回しな言い方で、より丁寧で穏やかな表現です。特に、故人に対する敬意を込めて使われます。 (A euphemistic and more polite way to say 'die.' It is used with respect for the deceased.)
- 往生: Has both a formal/religious meaning (peaceful death, rebirth in paradise) and an informal, colloquial meaning (giving up, being defeated, being at one's wit's end). The informal usage is common in phrases like「往生際が悪い」(ōjōgiwa ga warui - reluctant to give up).
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