生まれる

• Reading: うまれる
• Romaji: umareru
• Kanji breakdown: 生 (sei/u) — life, birth, to be born
• Pronunciation: /ɯ.ma.ɾe.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To be born; to come into existence. Used for birth of people, animals, and ideas.

A Group 2 (ichidan) intransitive verb. The passive-like form of 生む (to give birth). Commonly used in self-introductions: 東京で生まれました (I was born in Tokyo). The kanji 生 is one of the most versatile in Japanese, appearing in 生きる, 生活, 先生, and many more.

Examples

1. 私は1995年に生まれました。 I was born in 1995.
2. 赤ちゃんが生まれたそうです。 I heard a baby was born.
3. 北海道で生まれて東京で育ちました。 I was born in Hokkaido and raised in Tokyo.

Usage Guide

Context: self-introduction, life events, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 生 depicts a plant sprouting from the ground, representing new life. One of the oldest and most fundamental kanji, with dozens of readings and compounds related to life, birth, and growth.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal