更生・甦生|こうせいkousei[0]heiban (flat)
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Which spelling to use
更生更生 is the most common form and the recommended choice for beginners. Use it when writing the word, rather than the less common variant 甦生.
甦生甦生 is a rarely used variant of 更生, written entirely in kanji. Learners will seldom need to write it; recognize it as an alternative form when encountered.
Definitions
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbrehabilitation; remaking one's life; starting life anew
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbrebirth; regeneration; reorganization; rebuilding; recovery; restoration; remaking
- noun, suru verb, intransitive verbcoming back to life; revival; resuscitation
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 更生する（こうせいする） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 更生します（こうせいします） |
| Negative (nai) | 更生しない（こうせいしない） |
| polite (masen) | 更生しません（こうせいしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 更生せず・更生せぬ（こうせいせず・こうせいせぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 更生した（こうせいした） |
| polite (mashita) | 更生しました（こうせいしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 更生しなかった（こうせいしなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 更生しませんでした（こうせいしませんでした） |
| Te form | 更生して（こうせいして） |
| Potential | 更生できる（こうせいできる） |
| Passive | 更生される（こうせいされる） |
| Causative | 更生させる（こうせいさせる） |
| Causative passive | 更生させられる（こうせいさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 更生すれば（こうせいすれば） |
| tara | 更生したら（こうせいしたら） |
| Volitional | 更生しよう（こうせいしよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 更生しましょう（こうせいしましょう） |
| Imperative | 更生しろ（こうせいしろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym改心かいしんNeutralRepenting and mending one's ways, with the focus on an inner change of heart; 「更生」 covers the broader remaking of one's life.
- Synonym再生さいせいNeutralCovers regeneration, recycling and rebirth; its range is wider than 「更生」, which centers on personal reform.
- Related社会復帰しゃかいふっきNeutralFor ex-prisoners or patients going back into society, with the focus on rejoining everyday life; 「更生」 stresses reforming oneself and starting anew.
- Related再起さいきNeutralA comeback after failure, stressing the recovery of one's strength; 「更生」 is about reforming one's life.
- Related矯正きょうせいNeutralCorrecting teeth, eyesight or behavior, focusing on fixing a specific deviation; 「更生」 is about remaking one's life.
- Related立ち直るたちなおるNeutralA verb for getting back on your feet after a blow, common in colloquial speech and not limited to offenders; 「更生」 centers on reform.
For offenders or delinquents reforming themselves, use 「更生」, as in 「更生施設」; corporate rebuilding appears in 「会社更生法」. For rejoining society say 「社会復帰」, for bouncing back 「立ち直る」, for recycling 「再生」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
