Word
生かす
Meaning in Englishto keep something alive; to make use of
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Word context
What it means
What does 生かす mean? It means to keep alive or to make the most of something. In use, it denotes sustaining life or applying a resource, skill, or opportunity effectively to produce a desired result.
Main meanings
- keep alive or sustain life
- make use of a resource, skill, or experience effectively
- bring something to life or revitalize it
- capitalize on an advantage or opportunity
How to use it
Used across registers with wide applicability; common collocations include 命を生かす, 経験を生かす, 資源を生かす.
Variants and close terms
- 活かす, ikasu, to utilize
- 活用する, katsuyō suru, to leverage, to apply actively
- 利用する, riyō suru, to use
Composition
- 生 — life, living
- かす — kana suffix indicating causing or bringing about; attaches to 生 to form the transitive verb
Etymology
生 ikasu combines 生 (life) with a postfix reading かす to form a verb that conveys enabling life or applying vitality.
Word class
Verb (transitive) (動詞, 他動詞)
Word
Related words by kanji and components
N2
生け花
ikebana
flower arrangement
N2
写生
shasei
sketching, drawing from nature
N2
小学生
shougakusei
elementary school pupil
N2
生ずる
shouzuru
to cause, to arise, to be generated
N2
生存
seizon
existence, being, survival
N2
生意気
namaiki
impertinent, impudent
N2
生意気な
namaikina
impertinent, saucy, cheeky, impudent, audacious, cocky, pert, brash
N3
芝生
shibafu
lawn, grass
N3
生じる
shoujiru
occur, arise, be generated
Kanji