Meaning and Usage
The word "命" (いのち) primarily means "life" or "existence of life." It is often used to refer to the preciousness and fragility of human life or living beings in general.
Common Contexts
"命" is frequently used in serious or emotional contexts, such as talking about risking one's life, the value of life, or life-threatening situations. It can also appear in idiomatic expressions emphasizing the importance or uniqueness of life.
Collocations and Patterns
- 命をかける: to risk one's life, often used when someone is willing to sacrifice themselves for a cause or person.
- 命の危険: danger to life, used in medical or emergency contexts.
- 命は一度きり: life is only once, a common phrase to express the importance of living fully.
Register and Nuance
"命" is a formal and somewhat poetic word. It is not used casually to refer to life in everyday small talk but appears in serious conversations, literature, or news. Learners should avoid confusing it with "人生" (じんせい), which means "human life" or "one's life story" and focuses more on the life experience rather than the biological life itself.
Common Mistake
A common learner mistake is to use "命" when referring to someone's age or lifespan casually. Instead, use "人生" or "寿命" (じゅみょう) for lifespan or life experience contexts.