Word
栄える
Meaning in Englishto flourish, to prosper, to thrive
Animated kanji stroke order
Word context
What it means
栄える means to flourish or prosper, describing a person, place, or thing that gains prominence, vitality, or beauty over time.
Main meanings
- Flourish or prosper in a broad sense, including cities, economies, cultures, and living things.
- Become vibrant, prosperous, or prestigious within a particular place or context.
- Appear brilliant or splendid in appearance or reputation, often in literary or poetic usage.
How to use it
Used in formal and written contexts to describe growth, prosperity, and flourishing phenomena, such as cities, economies, cultures, or landscapes; typically intransitive and used with a subject that becomes prominent or vibrant.
Variants and close terms
- 繁栄する han'ei suru — prosper, flourish
- 発展する hatten suru — develop, advance
- 栄光を浴びる eikō o abiru — bask in glory
- 衰える otorueru — decline (antonym)
Composition
- 栄: glory, flourishing, prosperity
- える: verb-ending that marks the action as a verb
- Together express the idea to become glorious through growth and prominence
Word class
Verb (godan)