蘇る・甦る・蘇える・甦える|よみがえるyomigaeru[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
蘇る蘇る is the most common written form of this word and the recommended default for beginners. It is written with kanji and kana together.
甦る甦る is a less common variant of 蘇る. It is also written with kanji and kana together, so you may encounter it as an alternative spelling.
蘇える蘇える is less common than 蘇る and 甦る. It is written with kanji and kana together, but its okurigana is irregular.
甦える甦える is the least common of these four forms. It is written with kanji and kana together, and its okurigana is irregular.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be resurrected; to be resuscitated; to be rehabilitated; to be revived; to be refreshed; to be restored
- godan verb, intransitive verbto be recalled (e.g. memories); to be brought back
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 蘇る（よみがえる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 蘇ります（よみがえります） |
| Negative (nai) | 蘇らない（よみがえらない） |
| polite (masen) | 蘇りません（よみがえりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 蘇らず・蘇らぬ（よみがえらず・よみがえらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 蘇った（よみがえった） |
| polite (mashita) | 蘇りました（よみがえりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 蘇らなかった（よみがえらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 蘇りませんでした（よみがえりませんでした） |
| Te form | 蘇って（よみがえって） |
| Potential | 蘇れる（よみがえれる） |
| Passive | 蘇られる（よみがえられる） |
| Causative | 蘇らせる（よみがえらせる） |
| Causative passive | 蘇らせられる・蘇らされる（よみがえらせられる・よみがえらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 蘇れば（よみがえれば） |
| tara | 蘇ったら（よみがえったら） |
| Volitional | 蘇ろう（よみがえろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 蘇りましょう（よみがえりましょう） |
| Imperative | 蘇れ（よみがえれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym復活ふっかつNeutralA noun for revival or restoration, typically of systems, traditions or sports teams; 「蘇る」 adds an emotive sense of life being rekindled.
- Synonym再起さいきWrittenA written, formal term for a comeback after failure, stressing a fresh start; 「蘇る」 stresses the return of vitality.
- Synonym生き返るいきかえるNeutralMeans coming back from the dead, or feeling refreshed; 「蘇る」 can also describe memories resurfacing.
- Related更生こうせいNeutralCovers reforming oneself and starting life anew, plus corporate rebuilding; 「蘇る」 focuses on life or memories coming back.
- Related持ち直すもちなおすNeutralSays an illness or the market is picking up again; 「蘇る」 is for coming back from death or memories resurfacing.
- Related復興ふっこうNeutralFor post-disaster reconstruction of cities or economies; 「蘇る」 stresses the return of life and is more emotive.
- Related立ち直るたちなおるNeutralAbout pulling oneself together after a setback, stressing mental recovery; 「蘇る」 also covers memories reviving.
- Related回復かいふくNeutralAn objective word for returning to an original state or recovering from illness; 「蘇る」 carries a sense of rebirth.
- Antonym死ぬしぬNeutralTo die — the direct opposite of 「蘇る」 in its sense of being brought back to life.
- Antonym滅びるほろびるNeutralTo perish or fall into ruin — the opposite of 「蘇る」 regaining life.
Use 「蘇る」 for coming back to life, memories resurfacing or renewed vitality, as in 「記憶が蘇る」. For reviving systems or traditions say 「復活」; for returning from death 「生き返る」; for recovering health 「回復」; for getting back on one's feet 「立ち直る」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
