hibakusha

[ hee-buh-koo-shuh; Japanese hee-bah-koo-shah ]

noun

, plural hi·ba·ku·shas, hi·ba·ku·sha.

1. a survivor of either of the atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in 1945.

hibakusha

/ hɪˈbɑːkʊʃə /

noun

1. a survivor of either of the atomic-bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945

Word History and Origins

Origin of hibakusha¹

< Japanese, equivalent to hibaku bombed ( hi- suffer + baku- burst open, explode < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese bèi bào ) + -sha person < Middle Chinese, equivalent to Chinese chě

Word History and Origins

Origin of hibakusha¹

C20: from Japanese, from hibaku exposed + -sha -person

Example Sentences

A few years ago, while visiting Hiroshima, Japan, I attended a talk by a well-known peace activist and hibakusha — an atomic bomb survivor.

From Los Angeles Times

“Hibakusha: Daughter of late reverend behind ‘No more Hiroshima’ to follow his path,” the Mainichi, Oct.

From Slate

A hibakusha, or atomic bomb survivor, Sakata was a not quite 10-year-old child playing in his family’s garden when the United States bombed his hometown on Aug. 9, 1945, three days after the bombing of Hiroshima.

From Los Angeles Times

Suzuki, whose parents were hibakusha, or survivors of the Nagasaki attack, said knowing the reality of the atomic bombings is the starting point for achieving a world without nuclear weapons.

From Washington Times

As of March, 113,649 survivors, whose average age is 85, are certified as hibakusha and eligible for government medical support, according to the Health and Welfare Ministry.

From Washington Times