生 life / birth

主 (master/mainly) +

(rifle)

★★★★★

5 strokes

Onyomi

SEI, SHOU

If you can SAY something, it SHOWS you're alive.

Mnemonic

The master gave you life, and the master can take your life away with the rifle

Kunyomi

( が or に ) う＊まれる	to be born. Like, 1999年に生まれた (born in 1999) ★★★☆☆
( を ) う＊む	To give birth. Can be used figuratively as in, "these conditions breed terrorists," or "He gave birth to the film industry," or " produce profits." ★★★☆☆
( を ) い＊きる	to live. ★★★☆☆
( を ) い＊かす	usually means, "make the most of (a resource or a spot of good luck)" or　"to use wisely. (a scarce resource)" . . . but but it also can mean a doctor literally bringing a patient back to live i.e. after cardiac arrest. ★☆☆☆☆
( が ) は＊える	sprout (hairs as well as plants) ★☆☆☆☆

Jukugo

先生(せんせい)	teacher ★★★★★ 先 (earlier/ the tip) + 生 (life / birth) = 先生 (teacher)
生活(せいかつ)	lifestyle ★★★★★ 生 (life / birth) + 活 (vivid, lively) = 生活 (lifestyle)
学生(がくせい)	student ★★★★★ 学 (knowledge) + 生 (life / birth) = 学生 (student)
生(なま) XXX	live and direct. ★★★☆☆ PRE this is hard. It got tons of meanings: nama tv is live, not prerecorded. Nama beer is poured straight from the bottle, not like a fancy mixed drink. Nama information is first hand. Nama meat is raw.
人生(じんせい)	life (in general) ★★★☆☆ 人 (person) + 生 (life / birth) = 人生 (life (in general)) Life, as in someone's entire life, or life in general:. "He lived a quiet life." "Life is a bitch." "Life span."
生き物(いきもの)	living thing ★★☆☆☆ 生 (life / birth) + 物 (animal / thing) = 生き物 (living thing) living, moving thing . . . (BOOBOO：it doesn't apply to plants! Only little dudes that can move around and forage for food are いきもの)

Used In

Synonyms

beast, monster, asshole
野獣畜生獣猛獣

doctor/teacher
医者医師先生教師

lawn, grass
芝生芝

life
人生命生命

rebirth
復活再生再来新生生かす返り咲く

reproduction
生殖繁殖

student
弟子学生生徒教徒

to do your best, to try your hardest
一生懸命努力必死奮闘

to give birth
生む産む