Meaning

Primary

To Pass Away

Alternatives

To Become Deceased, To Die

Word Type

intransitive verb, godan verb

Explanation

This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an sound, you know this word is a verb. This word is actually two words put together, though. 亡く means "be deceased." なる means "to become." So put that all together and you have to pass away or to become deceased. It's basically a polite way to say something died (死ぬ).

Reading

なくなる
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

To learn to read this kanji you have to remember the part of 亡く, though our mnemonic will use the whole thing.

If you're about to become deceased, you are probably knocking (なく) on death's door.

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • パリで亡くなる

    to die in Paris

    ガンで亡くなる

    to die of cancer

    四十二才で亡くなる

    to die at forty two years old

Context Sentences

去年、母が亡くなった。

Last year, my mother died.

これは、亡くなった友人のための花です。

This is a flower for my friend who has passed away.

姉は、亡くなる前に「宝くじ...」と言いました。

My sister said "the lottery..." before her death.

Kanji Composition