Meaning

Primary

Corpse

Alternative

Human Remains

Word Type

noun

Explanation

You leave behind your body to join the spirit realm. This body you leave behind is your corpse.

Compared to 死体 (dead body), 遺体 is a more respectful way to refer specifically to human remains. It's often used in news, funerals, hospitals, and speeches to show respect to the deceased, and may be paired with the honorific , as ご遺体.

Reading

いたい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word that uses the on'yomi readings of the kanji. You should be able to read this on your own.

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 遺体を発見する

    to discover a corpse

    遺体を運ぶ

    to carry a corpse, to transport a corpse

    遺体を安置する

    to lay out a corpse

    遺体を見る

    to see a corpse

Context Sentences

遺体が川で発見されました。

A body was found in the river.

警察は遺体の身元を調べているそうです。

Apparently, the police are investigating the identity of the corpse.

山で見つかった遺体は行方不明者のものでした。

The corpse found in the mountains belonged to the missing person.

遺体を運ぶ途中でエレベーターが停止して閉じ込められたことがあります。

I've been trapped in a stopped elevator while transporting human remains before.

Kanji Composition