Meaning and Usage
The verb 生かす (いかす) means "to make the most of," "to utilize," or "to keep alive." It is often used when talking about applying skills, experiences, or qualities effectively in a certain context. It can also mean to keep something alive or to preserve its value.
Common Contexts
- Using personal experience or skills in work or daily life.
- Applying technology or knowledge to create or improve something.
- Highlighting or preserving natural or inherent qualities, such as beauty or talent.
Collocations and Patterns
- 経験を生かす (けいけんをいかす): to make use of experience
- 技術を生かす (ぎじゅつをいかす): to utilize technology
- 自然の美しさを生かす (しぜんのうつくしさをいかす): to make the most of natural beauty
Register and Nuance
生かす is a versatile verb used in both formal and informal contexts. It often implies a positive action of maximizing potential or value. Learners should not confuse it with 生きる (いきる), which means "to live" in the literal sense.
Common Mistake
A common learner mistake is to use 生かす only in the sense of "keeping alive" living things. However, it is frequently used metaphorically to mean "to utilize" or "to make the best use of" intangible things like skills or experiences.