Japanese meaning of 起死回生

Meaning:

To recover from a situation that seemed hopeless by taking decisive action or finding an unexpected opportunity. This phrase often describes a dramatic turnaround, such as a sports team coming back from the brink of defeat.

Cultural Context:

Derived from Chinese classics on military strategy, it was introduced to Japan through literature and is now common in sports commentary, business strategy discussions, and self-help contexts. It emphasizes admiration for turning adversity into opportunity.

もう無理だと思われるほど追い詰められた状況から、思いがけない方法や行動によって状況を一変させ、成功や復活につなげること。たとえば逆転勝利など、どん底からの巻き返しを指します。
兵法書など中国古典に由来し、日本では書物を通じて伝わった。現在ではスポーツ解説、経営戦略、自己啓発の場面などでよく使われ、逆境を好機に変える姿勢への称賛を伴う。