暮らす

• Reading: くらす
• Romaji: kurasu
• Kanji breakdown: 暮 (bo/ku) — dusk, livelihood, end of day
• Pronunciation: /kɯ.ɾa.sɯ/

Meaning

To live; to lead a life; to get by. Describes one's manner of living or making a living.

A Group 1 (godan) intransitive verb conjugating with the す row. Emphasises the quality or manner of daily life rather than simply residing somewhere. Common phrases: 一人暮らし (living alone), 暮らしを立てる (make a living). Distinct from 住む which focuses on residence location.

Examples

1. 祖父母は田舎で静かに暮らしています。 My grandparents live quietly in the countryside.
2. 日本で三年間暮らしたことがあります。 I've lived in Japan for three years.
3. 猫と一緒に暮らすのが夢です。 It's my dream to live together with a cat.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, lifestyle, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From the kanji 暮 (bo/ku) meaning dusk and livelihood. Originally meant to spend the day until dusk, which evolved into the broader sense of living day by day.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal