人生観

• Reading: じんせいかん
• Romaji: jinseikan
• Kanji breakdown: 人 (jin) — person; 生 (sei) — life; 観 (kan) — view, outlook
• Pronunciation: /d͡ʑiɴ.seː.kaɴ/

Meaning

One's view of life; outlook on life. A personal philosophy about how life should be understood and lived.

A noun expressing an individual's fundamental attitude toward life and its meaning. Part of a family of ～観 (kan, view/perspective) compounds such as 世界観 (sekaikan, worldview), 価値観 (kachikan, values), and 死生観 (shiseikan, view of life and death). Often discussed in the context of personal growth, relationships, and major life experiences.

Examples

1. 留学経験が私の人生観を大きく変えた。 My study abroad experience greatly changed my outlook on life.
2. 彼とは人生観が合わないと感じることがある。 I sometimes feel that my view of life doesn't align with his.
3. 本を読むことで人生観が広がることもある。 Reading books can also broaden one's outlook on life.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophy, relationships, self-reflection

Tone: reflective

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 人生 (jinsei, human life) + 観 (kan, view/outlook). Literally 'view of human life' — one's philosophical stance on existence.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal