Japanese meaning of 不老不死

Reading:
ふろうふし (furou fushi)

English Translation:

Ageless and deathless; immortality

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:


Ageless and deathless—immortality.

Cultural Context:


Rooted in Daoist alchemy and folklore (elixirs, Hōrai, “Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”); a staple trope in anime, games, and fantasy.

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

• Noun phrase describing immortality, often used in legends or fantasy contexts.

Trap for English Speakers

May be confused with “not dying yet” rather than eternal life.

Example

Basic Example

不老不死の薬を求める伝説が残っている。

Legends remain of the search for an ageless and deathless potion.


Applied Example

彼は不老不死の薬を探し求めた。

He sought a potion for agelessness and immortality.