Vocabulary

What does 生き甲斐 (いきがい, ikigai) mean?

生き甲斐 (いきがい, ikigai) means reason for living, purpose in life.

Quick facts
Reading	いきがい
Romaji	ikigai
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N1

生き甲斐いきがい

N1 · estimated, JLPT frameworkikigai

reason for living, purpose in life

Example sentences

仕事(しごと)に生(い)き甲斐(がい)を感(かん)じている。
I feel a sense of purpose in my work.
孫(まご)の成長(せいちょう)が彼女(かのじょ)の生(い)き甲斐(がい)だ。
Her grandchild's growth is her reason for living.