延命

• Reading: えんめい
• Romaji: enmei
• Kanji breakdown: 延 (en) — extend, prolong, delay; 命 (mei/inochi) — life, fate, command
• Pronunciation: /e.n.meː/

Meaning

Prolonging life; life extension. Used in medical and ethical contexts concerning end-of-life treatment decisions.

A critical term in medical ethics, particularly in discussions about 延命治療 (life-prolonging treatment) and 延命措置 (life-extending measures). Frequently debated in the context of terminal illness, living wills (尊厳死宣言), and quality-of-life decisions. Also used more broadly to describe prolonging the existence of something (e.g., a company or regime).

Examples

1. 延命治療を望まないという意思を、事前に家族に伝えておいた。 I communicated my wish not to receive life-prolonging treatment to my family in advance.
2. その政策は企業の延命を図るためだけのものだと批判された。 The policy was criticized as being nothing more than a measure to keep companies on life support.
3. 末期がんの患者に延命措置を施すかどうか、医師と家族が話し合った。 The doctor and the family discussed whether to administer life-sustaining treatment to the terminal cancer patient.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, ethics, end-of-life care, policy, business

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Compound of 延 (en, extend/prolong) and 命 (mei/inochi, life). Together they literally mean to extend or prolong one's life.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: General