余生

• 読み: よせい
• ローマ字: yosei
• 漢字の分解: 余 (yo) — surplus, remaining, extra; 生 (sei) — life, living
• 発音: /jo.seː/

意味

One's remaining years; the rest of one's life. The time left to live.

A noun with a contemplative, sometimes melancholic tone. Used when someone reflects on how they want to spend the time they have left, often after a major life event such as retirement, serious illness, or loss. Unlike 老後 (rougo, old age) which is age-defined, 余生 focuses on the finite nature of remaining time. Common in literature and personal reflections.

例文

1. 余生は好きなことをして暮らしたい。
2. 退職後の余生をどう過ごすか考えている。
3. 病気から回復し、余生を大切にしようと思った。

使い方ガイド

場面: retirement, personal reflection, literature

トーン: reflective

起源と歴史

From Sino-Japanese: 余 (yo, surplus/remaining) + 生 (sei, life). Literally 'remaining life' — the surplus portion of one's lifespan yet to be lived.

文化的背景

時代: Classical

世代: Middle-aged to elderly

社会的背景: Universal