来世（らいせ、raise）
- next life

The Japanese word 来世 （らいせ） means "next life," "afterlife," or "future life." It refers to the life that follows the current one, often in the context of reincarnation or a spiritual existence after death. It is a concept deeply rooted in Buddhism and other Eastern philosophies. It implies a continuation of existence after the physical body ceases to function. The specifics of 来世, such as its nature and how one enters it, are often determined by one's actions in the present life (karma).

⚫︎ 来世を信じますか？ Translation: Do you believe in the afterlife? ⚫︎ 前世の行いが来世に影響する。 Translation: Actions in a previous life affect the next life. ⚫︎ 来世では幸せになりたい。 Translation: I want to be happy in the next life.

This word is used primarily in philosophical, religious, or spiritual contexts. You can use it when discussing reincarnation, karma, or the concept of life after death. It is less common in everyday, casual conversations, unless the topic is specifically about beliefs regarding the afterlife. It's perfectly fine to use in formal writing as well.

来世 is typically written in kanji, 来世. The reading is らいせ in hiragana. There are no other common ways to write this word or variations in the okurigana.

There are no direct synonyms in Japanese that carry the exact same meaning, but words related to the afterlife or reincarnation could be considered similar in context. However, it's difficult to find direct synonyms.

The direct antonym of 来世 is not easily defined within a single word. However, words related to the current life, or the present, could be considered opposites in concept. These include 今世 （こんせ） or "this life."

彼は《来世での幸せを願って、毎日お寺に通っている。》 ・Translation: He goes to the temple every day, hoping for happiness in the next life. ・Explanation: This sentence shows someone performing religious practices in the hopes of a better afterlife.

彼女は《来世でもまた会えると信じている。》 ・Translation: She believes that they will meet again in the next life. ・Explanation: This sentence demonstrates a belief in reincarnation and the possibility of seeing loved ones again.

The word 来 means "to come," and 世 means "world," "generation," or "life." Therefore, 来世 literally means "the world to come" or "the future life." The combination of these two kanji creates the concept of the life that comes after the present one.