死亡

• Reading: しぼう
• Romaji: shibou
• Kanji breakdown: 死 (shi) — death, to die; 亡 (bou) — to perish, be lost
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.boː/

Meaning

Death. A formal term for the event of dying.

A する verb (死亡する — to die, formal). This is the official, clinical term used in news reports, legal documents, and medical contexts. Much more formal than 死ぬ (to die, colloquial). 死亡率 means mortality rate, 死亡届 means death certificate. Used when reporting facts objectively.

Examples

1. 事故で三人が死亡したと報道された。 It was reported that three people died in the accident.
2. 死亡率を下げるための対策が求められている。 Measures to reduce the mortality rate are being called for.
3. 病院で治療を受けていたが、翌日死亡した。 He was receiving treatment at the hospital but died the following day.

Usage Guide

Context: news, medical, legal

Tone: grave

Origin & History

Compound of 死 (shi, death) and 亡 (bou, to perish/be lost). Both kanji relate to death, creating an emphatic formal term for the cessation of life.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal