How to say "afterlife" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 来世らいせnounThe common, general word for the afterlife — the next world, the world beyond this one. It fits religious teaching and everyday talk alike, and is the default choice in most contexts.
- 後世ごせnounA less common word for the same idea as 来世 — the next world, life after death. Its meaning largely overlaps with 来世's, so in most cases you can simply use 来世.
- 後生ごしょうnounA less common word for the afterlife — life after death — with Buddhist associations. It covers the same ground as 来世, which remains the natural choice in ordinary talk about what follows death.
- 当来とうらいnounA less common word for the afterlife or the hereafter. In meaning it amounts to much the same as 来世, so you will rarely need it — 来世 is the word you want.
Whichever shade of 'afterlife' you mean — the next world, life after death, the hereafter — 来世 is the common, default word; 後世, 後生 and 当来 are less common alternatives covering much the same ground.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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