L22. Daily Japanese Kanji — Day 22: 生
Days 21-30
R-report
[Day 22] 生 - life, born
The character 生 is commonly associated with life, birth, rawness, and growth. It appears in everyday words about living (life), being born, students, and items described as "raw" or "fresh." Readings: On'yomi and Kun'yomi are both productive for this kanji. On'yomi examples: 生活 (せいかつ / seikatsu — life, livelihood), 先生 (せんせい / sensei — teacher). Kun'yomi examples: 生まれる (うまれる / umareru — to be born), 生きる (いきる / ikiru — to live), 生ビール (なまビール / nama biiru — draft beer). Mnemonic tip: imagine a short roof (top stroke) over a growing stem — it suggests something coming to life and growing up from below.
Readings
On'yomi: **セイ、ショウ** (sei, shō) Kun'yomi: **いきる、うまれる、なま** (ikiru, umareru, nama)
Related words
- 生活（せいかつ / seikatsu） — life, daily life - 私の**生活**は忙しい。(Watashi no seikatsu wa isogashii. — My daily life is busy.)
- 先生（せんせい / sensei） — teacher - 彼女は私の**先生**です。(Kanojo wa watashi no sensei desu. — She is my teacher.)
- 生まれる（うまれる / umareru） — to be born - 赤ちゃんが今日**生まれました**。(Akachan ga kyō umaremashita. — A baby was born today.)
- 生ビール（なまビール / nama biiru） — draft beer - 夏は**生ビール**が飲みたい。(Natsu wa nama bīru ga nomitai. — I want to drink draft beer in summer.)
- 学生（がくせい / gakusei） — student - 彼は大学の**学生**です。(Kare wa daigaku no gakusei desu. — He is a university student.)