How to say "generation" in Japanese

• 世代せだいJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounThe default word for a generation of people, such as those born around the same time. It also covers generational succession in families, as in parent and child generations.
  あの人ひとたちは同おなじ世代せだいです。↗

  Those men are of a generation.
• 生成せいせいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbCovers generation in the sense of creation or formation, as when something is produced or derived, especially in technical or scientific contexts. It does not refer to generations of people.
  AとBを反応はんのうさせるとCが生成せいせいされます。↗

  C is formed by reacting A with B.
• ジェネレーションCommon
  nounThe loanword for generation, used mainly in generational talk about people, often in media, marketing, or set phrases. For everyday use, 世代 is usually the more natural choice.
• 創出そうしゅつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbMeans creation or generation of something new, such as value, demand, or opportunities, typically in formal or business writing. It is not used for generations of people.
  ここでの問題もんだいは、社会しゃかいのトレンドを概観がいかんできるような枠組わくぐみを創出そうしゅつすることである。↗

  The question here is one of creating the framework with which we can outline the social trend.
• 一世いっせいCommon
  nounMeans one generation in the sense of a single lifetime or one era, as in a first-generation figure. It is a narrower, more literary choice than 世代 and seldom the word you want for ordinary uses of 'generation'.

Use 世代 for people of the same age group, 生成 or 創出 for technical senses of producing something, 「ジェネレーション」 as the loanword mostly for generational talk, and 一世 for a lifetime or one era.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 世代せだいgeneration
• 生成せいせいcreation
• ジェネレーションgeneration
• 創出そうしゅつcreation
• 一世いっせいgeneration
• 一代いちだいgeneration
• 発生はっせいgeneration (of power, heat, etc.)
• 世よage
• 代だいgeneration