Japanese meaning of 生きろ…そなたは美しい
Reading:
いきろ…そなたはうつくしい (Ikiro… sonata wa utsukushii)
English Translation:
Live... for you are beautiful.
Scene & Cultural Context
Scene Context:
Ashitaka emotionally encourages San, conveying deep respect and affection, urging her not to give up on life despite hardships.
Cultural Context:
Japanese narratives often portray deep respect, admiration, and encouragement subtly through concise yet powerful wording. Such phrases convey intense emotion indirectly yet profoundly.
アシタカがサンを感情的に励まし、深い敬意と愛情を示しつつ、困難に負けず生きるよう促す感動的な場面。
日本の物語では、短く力強い表現を通じて深い敬意や称賛、励ましを間接的にかつ感情豊かに伝える文化的背景がある。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
•「生きろ」(ikiro) = imperative form of 生きる ("live"), strongly urging action
•「そなた」(sonata) = archaic, respectful second-person pronoun, used in historical or formal contexts.
Trap for English Speakers
The archaic pronoun "そなた" (sonata) can confuse learners as it's rarely used in modern spoken Japanese, appearing mainly in historical or literary contexts.
Example
Basic Example
失恋で落ち込む友達を静かに慰める場面。
「生きろ…そなたは美しい。必ず良い出会いがある。」
Gently consoling a friend heart‑broken from a breakup.
“Live… you are beautiful. You’ll surely meet someone wonderful.”