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生
sei
life, raw, fresh
生きることは戦いだ
Life is a struggle.
general
Life, living, or alive
彼は生きている
He is alive.
Often used in philosophical or existential contexts.
general
Raw or uncooked (especially food)
生卵を食べる
To eat raw eggs.
Common in culinary contexts, e.g., 生卵 (raw egg), 生肉 (raw meat).
general
Fresh or unprocessed
生野菜
Fresh vegetables.
Used for natural or unrefined products.
general
Student or pupil (as a suffix)
大学生
University student.
Commonly used as a suffix to denote students, e.g., 高校生 (high school student).
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Life vs. Raw
The meaning of 生 shifts dramatically based on context. In food, it means 'raw,' while in existential contexts, it means 'life.'
Gold Rule
Context is Key
Always consider the surrounding words when interpreting 生, as its meaning can vary widely.
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese 'sheng' (生), meaning 'to be born' or 'to grow'.
Usage Notes
The character 生 is highly versatile and appears in many compounds. Its meaning depends heavily on context, ranging from life and birth to raw or fresh.
Word Breakdown
生
life, raw, fresh
root和英辞典