生

• Reading: なま
• Romaji: nama
• Kanji breakdown: 生 (sei/shou/nama) — raw, life, birth
• Pronunciation: /na.ma/

Meaning

Raw; unprocessed; uncooked. Also used for draft beer and fresh/live performances.

A versatile noun and prefix meaning 'raw' or 'unprocessed.' Key uses: 生魚 (nama-zakana, raw fish), 生ビール (nama biiru, draft beer), 生放送 (nama housou, live broadcast), 生卵 (nama tamago, raw egg). In casual speech, 生 alone often means draft beer when ordering at a bar. The word connects to Japanese food culture where freshness and rawness are highly valued.

Examples

1. この魚は新鮮だから生で食べられる。 This fish is fresh, so you can eat it raw.
2. 居酒屋で生ビールを注文した。 I ordered a draft beer at the izakaya.
3. 生の野菜をたくさん食べるようにしている。 I try to eat plenty of raw vegetables.

Usage Guide

Context: food, dining, broadcasting

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 生 is one of the most multifaceted kanji, with over ten readings. It represents life, birth, and rawness, originally depicting a plant sprouting from the ground.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal