亡くなる
0%
Log in to evaluate your pronunciation.
No feedback yet. Please speak to see your results.
Base dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in 『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations. A respectful euphemism for death.
Theme
During a quiet moment at a park, User and their neighbor Yumi talk about a recent loss in the community.
亡くなる
なくなる
to pass away (plain form)
People & IdentityFamily & Personal Relationships
verbICHIDAN (ru-verb)
Memory Hook
To remember 『亡くなる』 (nakunaru, 'to pass away'), think of a 'naku' sound like crying at a loss. 'Naku' (cry) + 'naru' (become) → becomes a state of loss, as in passing away.
Cultural Note
In Japanese, 『亡くなる』 (nakunaru, 'to pass away') is a polite and indirect way to refer to death, commonly used in formal or sensitive contexts to show respect for the deceased and their family, avoiding the more direct term 『死ぬ』 (shinu, 'to die').
Forms
Base: 亡くなるBase dictionary form. Ichidan verb: ends in 『る』 and keeps its stem for all conjugations. A respectful euphemism for death.
Polite: 亡くなりますDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ます』 (masu, polite marker) → 『亡くなります』 (nakunarimasu, 'pass away [polite]').
Negative: 亡くならないDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『ない』 (nai, 'not') → 『亡くならない』 (nakunaranai, 'do not pass away').
Past: 亡くなったDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『た』 (ta, past marker) → 『亡くなった』 (nakunatta, 'passed away').
Te: 亡くなってDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『て』 (te) → 『亡くなって』 (nakunatte). Used for linking events or in respectful requests.
Volitional: 亡くなろうDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『よう』 (you, volitional) → 『亡くなろう』 (nakunarou, 'let’s pass away'). Note: This form is rarely used due to the sensitive nature of the verb.
Conditional: 亡くなればDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『れば』 (reba, conditional) → 『亡くなれば』 (nakunareba, 'if (someone) passes away').
Potential: 亡くなれるAdd 『られる』 (rareru, potential) to the stem → 『亡くなれる』 (nakunareru, 'can pass away'). Note: This form is uncommon as it implies ability, which is not typical for this verb.
Passive: 亡くなられるAdd passive marker 『られる』 (rareru) → 『亡くなられる』 (nakunarareru, 'to be passed away'). Used in honorific contexts to show respect.
Causative: 亡くならせるAdd causative marker 『させる』 (saseru) → 『亡くならせる』 (nakunaraseru). Note: This form is rare and sensitive.
Imperative: 亡くなれDrop 『る』 (-ru) → add 『れ』 (re, command) → 『亡くなれ』 (nakunare). Note: This form is highly inappropriate and almost never used due to the verb's meaning.
Progressive: 亡くなっているTe-form 『亡くなって』 + 『いる』 (iru, continuous) → 『亡くなっている』 (nakunatte iru, 'is passing away'). Used to describe the process or state after passing.