hibakusha: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Historical, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “hibakusha” mean?
A person who survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima or Nagasaki in August 1945.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima or Nagasaki in August 1945.
More broadly, it can refer to survivors of nuclear disasters or radiation exposure, though primarily associated with the historical events in Japan. The term carries profound connotations of suffering, historical memory, and anti-nuclear advocacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both varieties within relevant contexts (historical, political, journalistic).
Connotations
Identical strong connotations of historical tragedy, pacifism, and the human cost of nuclear warfare.
Frequency
Equally low and context-specific in both varieties. Most common in historical documentaries, academic papers on WWII/pacifism, and anniversary journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “hibakusha” in a Sentence
[The/A] + hibakusha + verb (e.g., testified, recalled, suffered)[Noun/Pronoun] + is/was a hibakushaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hibakusha” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A. Hibakusha is solely a noun.
American English
- N/A. Hibakusha is solely a noun.
adverb
British English
- N/A. No adverbial form exists.
American English
- N/A. No adverbial form exists.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The adjectival form is 'hibakusha' used attributively (e.g., hibakusha testimony).
American English
- N/A. The adjectival form is 'hibakusha' used attributively (e.g., hibakusha community).
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, peace studies, and medical research on long-term radiation effects.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only in specific discussions about history or nuclear weapons.
Technical
Used in historical/legal contexts regarding victim recognition and compensation, and in radiology concerning long-term studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hibakusha”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hibakusha”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hibakusha”
- Using it as a general term for survivors of any disaster.
- Incorrect pluralisation as 'hibakushas' (the Japanese origin means it is both singular and plural; 'hibakusha' is correct).
- Misspelling: 'hibakusha' is correct, not 'hibakusa' or 'hibakushu'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, as it refers to survivors of the bombings on Japanese cities. However, some definitions include foreign nationals (e.g., Korean forced labourers) who were present at the time.
It is both singular and plural. You say 'one hibakusha' and 'many hibakusha'. Adding an 's' ('hibakushas') is a common error by English speakers.
Not accurately in its core sense. It is strongly tied to the WWII atomic bombings. For other nuclear incidents, terms like 'nuclear disaster survivor' or 'radiation victim' are used, though some activist writing might draw metaphorical parallels.
Sombre, respectful, and historical. It should be used with sensitivity due to its association with mass tragedy and suffering.
A person who survived the atomic bombings of Hiroshima or Nagasaki in August 1945.
Hibakusha is usually formal, historical, academic, journalistic in register.
Hibakusha: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhɪbəˈkuːʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhiːbɑːˈkuːʃɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None. The term itself is too specific and grave for idiomatic use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine HItting the BAses (HI-BA) with a KU SHApel (KUSHA) after a nuclear blast: a baseball player surviving the blast becomes a HIBA-KUSHA.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIVING HISTORY / EMBODIED MEMORY (The hibakusha are not just people; they are personifications of a historical warning and tragedy.)
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'hibakusha' be MOST appropriately used?