Godan verb, transitive verb

  1. to make (the best) use of, to put to good use, to leverage (skills, attributes, experience, etc.), to capitalize on (experience, etc.).
  2. to let live, to keep alive.
  3. to revive, to resuscitate, to bring back to life.
  4. to restore (a deleted passage; in proofreading).

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
生かす いかす
 
 
活かす いかす

Contained Kanji Breakdown

life, genuine, birth
セイ い.きる う.まれる (1st, N5)