一生

• Reading: いっしょう
• Romaji: isshou
• Kanji breakdown: 一 (ichi/itsu) — one; 生 (sei/shou) — life, living
• Pronunciation: /i.ɕɕoː/

Meaning

One's whole life; lifetime; throughout life. Refers to the entire span from birth to death.

Functions as a noun, no-adjective, and adverb. As an adverb, it modifies verbs to mean 'for one's entire life' (一生忘れない, I'll never forget for as long as I live). Common emotional expressions include 一生のお願い (the favour of a lifetime) and 一生に一度 (once in a lifetime).

Examples

1. この景色は一生忘れないだろう。 I'll probably never forget this scenery for as long as I live.
2. 一生に一度のチャンスを逃したくない。 I don't want to miss a once-in-a-lifetime chance.
3. 彼は一生をかけてこの研究を続けた。 He devoted his entire life to this research.

Usage Guide

Context: life decisions, emotional moments, promises

Tone: solemn

Origin & History

Compound of 一 (ichi/issho, one) and 生 (shou, life). Literally 'one life,' expressing the totality of a single human existence from beginning to end.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal