Meaning
The kanji 逝 (sei, yuku) conveys the solemn, formal meaning of "to pass away," "to die," or "to depart." It often appears when referring to someone's death, particularly in a respectful or formal manner, unlike the blunt 死 (shi). While synonymous with death, 逝 frequently implies a peaceful or respectful departure, emphasizing the act of leaving life rather than simply ceasing to exist.
Etymologically, 逝 is a phono-semantic compound. It combines two main parts: The left radical, 辶 (shinnyō), also known as 辵, indicates "movement," "walking," or "going." This radical often appears in kanji related to paths, journeys, or transitions, such as 道 (michi, road) or 進む (susumu, to advance).
The right-hand component, 昚, acts as the phonetic element, giving the "sei" sound. Semantically, the 歹 element within 昚 (meaning "bone" or "death") contributes to the kanji's overall sense of perishing or death. Thus, the visual combination of "movement" (辶) towards "death" or "perishing" (昚) perfectly encapsulates the meaning of "to pass away" or "to depart life." This kanji has 9 strokes. While not assigned a specific school grade level in Japan, its usage and associated vocabulary make it an essential kanji for JLPT N1 students, highlighting its advanced nature and specialized use in formal or literary contexts.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi readings of 逝 come from its original Chinese pronunciation. For this kanji, the main On'yomi is セイ.
セイ: This reading is primarily used in formal compound words, especially when referring to death or demise respectfully or officially. Unlike the blunt 死 (shi), セイ is commonly seen in news reports, obituaries, or formal eulogies.
逝去 (seikyo) — demise, passing away. This is the most common polite term for someone's death. It combines 逝 (to pass away) with 去 (to leave, to depart).
永逝 (eisei) — eternal departure, eternal sleep, death. This compound often has a poetic or solemn tone, combining 永 (eternal) with 逝 (to pass away).
急逝 (kyūsei) — sudden death. This term is used when someone dies unexpectedly or prematurely, formed from 急 (sudden) and 逝 (to pass away).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings of 逝 are native Japanese words that correspond to the kanji's meaning. For 逝, the main Kun'yomi is ゆく, usually written as 逝く.
ゆ（く）: This reading means "to go," "to depart," or "to pass away." When used with 逝, it almost always carries the nuance of departing from life or passing away. It feels slightly more literary, poetic, or archaic compared to the more formal 逝去, often used metaphorically to express the passage of time or life.
逝く (yuku) — to pass away, to depart (from life). This is a direct verb form used to describe someone's death.
逝く人 (yuku hito) — the deceased person, literally "a person who is passing away." This expression has a touch of pathos or poetic lament.
逝く年 (yuku toshi) — the passing year. This is a poetic expression for the end of a year, emphasizing its ephemeral nature, much like a life passing by.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 逝 is primarily associated with death and departure, and is prominent in formal, respectful, or poetic expressions related to the end of life or the passage of time. Here is a list of common words and compounds using 逝, grouped by their thematic usage.
Expressions of Demise and Passing Away
- 逝去 (seikyo) — Demise; passing away. This is the most formal and widely used term for a person's death, often appears in news, obituaries, and official statements.
- 急逝 (kyūsei) — Sudden death. Refers to an unexpected or premature death, often due to an accident or sudden illness.
- 永逝 (eisei) — Eternal departure; death. A more poetic and solemn term, implying an eternal rest or journey.
- 病逝 (byōsei) — Death from illness. Specifies that the cause of death was a disease, often found in formal or historical texts.
- 逝去者 (seikyosha) — The deceased person. Refers to an individual who has passed away, using the formal term for 'demise.'
- 逝者 (seisha) — The deceased. A more concise term for a deceased person, similar in meaning to 逝去者.
Verbal and Poetic Expressions
- 逝く (yuku) — To pass away; to depart (from life). This is the verb form, frequently used in literature and more personal contexts.
- 逝きし人 (yukishi hito) — The person who passed away; the departed one. An evocative, slightly archaic expression for someone who has died.
- 逝きし方 (yukishi kata) — The departed one (more formal/respectful than 逝きし人).
Metaphorical and Philosophical Usages
- 逝く年 (yuku toshi) — The passing year. A poetic phrase used to refer to the year that is coming to an end, evoking the passage of time.
- 逝水 (seisui) — Flowing water. Often appearing in classical literature and philosophical contexts, this term metaphorically represents the unstoppable flow of time, much like water flowing by.
- 逝水年華 (seisui nenka) — Fleeting time; time flowing like water and years passing like flowers. A beautiful and complex idiom that emphasizes the transient nature of time and youth.
Example Sentences
彼は昨年急逝したと聞きました。
Kare wa sakunen kyūsei shita to kikimashita.
I heard he passed away suddenly last year.
偉大な学者が惜しまれつつ逝去されました。
Idai na gakusha ga oshimaretsutsu seikyo saremashita.
The great scholar passed away, deeply mourned.
時間は二度と戻らぬ逝水のようだ。
Jikan wa nido to modoranu seisui no yō da.
Time is like flowing water that never returns.
老齢の母は、家族に見守られ静かに逝きました。
Rōrei no haha wa, kazoku ni mimamorare shizuka ni yukimashita.
My elderly mother passed away peacefully, watched over by her family.
逝く春を惜しむかのように、窓の外は雨だった。
Yuku haru wo oshimu ka no yō ni, mado no soto wa ame datta.
As if mourning the passing spring, it was raining outside the window.
親友の突然の逝去は、私にとって大きな悲しみでした。
Shinyū no totsuzen no seikyo wa, watashi ni totte ōkina kanashimi deshita.
My best friend's sudden passing was a great sorrow for me.
彼は恩師の永逝を悼んで詩を詠んだ。
Kare wa onshi no eisei wo itande uta wo yonda.
He composed a poem mourning the eternal departure of his revered teacher.
多くの英雄が若くして逝った歴史があります。
Ōku no eiyū ga wakakushite yutta rekishi ga arimasu.
There is a history of many heroes who passed away young.
彼の逝くさまは実に穏やかだったと伝えられています。
Kare no yuku sama wa makoto ni odayaka datta to tsutaerareteimasu.
It is said that his passing was truly peaceful.
Memory Tip
To remember 逝, focus on its two main components and visualize a story. The left radical, 辶 (shinnyō), represents "movement" or "going," like walking along a path or journeying. The right part of the kanji, which gives the "sei" sound, also contains the element 歹 (gatsu), meaning "bone" or "death." Imagine a person (辶) on their final journey, moving towards death (歹). This vivid image directly conveys the meaning of "to go towards death" or "to pass away." Another way is to picture a journey (辶) that culminates at a grave, marked by bones (歹), signifying the definitive end of life's path.