die · depart

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is せい, and the kun readings are ゆく, いく. It has 10 strokes and relates to a person passing away or departing this life.
• Basic usage: 逝く is read ゆく, and 逝去 is read せいきょ.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 逝く / 逝去
  • 逝く means pass away or die and is read ゆく. It directly describes a person passing away.
  • 祖父は家族に見守られながら静かに逝った。 means “My grandfather passed away quietly with his family beside him.”
  • 逝去 means passing or death and is read せいきょ. It is used to announce or respectfully refer to another person's passing.
  • 恩師の逝去を知らせる手紙が届いた。 means “A letter arrived announcing the death of my former teacher.”