How to say "thrive" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 栄えるさかえるichidan verb, intransitive verbCovers thrive in the sense of prospering and flourishing — a town, business, or organization doing well. This is the natural choice when thrive implies success and vitality rather than literal growth.
- 生い茂るおいしげるgodan verb, intransitive verbApplies to vegetation growing thickly and in abundance — overgrown gardens, dense foliage. Its 'thrive' sense is confined to plants growing lushly; unless vegetation is the subject, it is seldom the word you want.
- godan verb, intransitive verbCovers thrive only in the sense of running rampant — things spreading unchecked, often undesirably, such as weeds or crime. It carries a negative nuance and is not the word for healthy, desirable thriving.
Choose 「栄える」 when thrive means prosper or flourish, 「生い茂る」 for plants growing thickly and abundantly, and 「はびこる」 for unwanted things running rampant; for the ordinary sense of thriving, 「栄える」 is the natural pick.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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