暮らし

くらし

living

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"暮らし" (くらし) refers to the way people live their daily lives, encompassing lifestyle, living conditions, and everyday routines. It often implies a broader sense of life quality rather than just the physical act of living.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see "暮らし" used when talking about different environments or conditions of life, such as city life (都会の暮らし) or rural life (田舎の暮らし). It can also express the emotional or practical aspects of daily living.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 暮らしやすい: comfortable or easy to live
  • 暮らし向き: living conditions or circumstances
  • 暮らしぶり: lifestyle or way of living

These collocations help describe the quality or style of life.

Register and Nuance

"暮らし" is a neutral and common noun suitable for everyday conversation and writing. It is not formal or technical but conveys a warm, human aspect of life.

Learner Tips

A common confusion is mixing "暮らし" with "生活" (せいかつ). While both mean "life" or "living," "生活" often focuses more on the practical or economic aspects, whereas "暮らし" emphasizes the personal, emotional, or qualitative side of daily life.

Example Sentences

とかいでのくらしはべんりだけど、すこしいそがしすぎる。

Living in the city is convenient, but a bit too busy.

いなかのくらしはしぜんがおおくて、こころがおちつく。

Life in the countryside has a lot of nature and is calming.

まいにちのくらしをたいせつにすることがしあわせのひけつです。

Valuing everyday living is the secret to happiness.