降臨
kōrin
The Japanese word for advent is 降臨 (kōrin).
降臨 is most commonly used to describe the descent of a deity, a divine being or a highly revered figure to the human world. In internet slang, it is used when a famous person or a highly influential user 'descends' into a forum or a comment section.
Meaning: coming, arrival (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the characters 降 (descent/fall) and 臨 (presence/approach/to face).
Which one should you use?
While 降臨 focuses on a descent or the arrival of a divine figure, other formal terms exist for different types of advent: use 出現 to convey a general appearance or advent and use 到来 to describe the arrival or advent of an event or phenomenon.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
降臨 can be used as internet slang in informal settings. However, for more standard formal contexts, 出現 is used for an appearance and 到来 is used for the arrival of events or phenomena.
How do you pronounce it?
kōrin
Did you know?
- In Shinto tradition, the concept behind 降臨 describes the 'kami' or spirits descending from the 'Takama-ga-hara' known as the Plain of High Heaven.
- The character 降 in 降臨 can be read as 'furu' when referring to rain or snow, linking the concept of a divine descent to the falling of weather from the heavens.
- The character 臨 in 降臨 also appears in the word for 'clinical' or 'bedside' in 臨床, as both involve 'facing' or 'being present' with a person.
Examples in context
- 神の降臨を待つ。kami no kōrin o matsu.Wait for the advent of the god.
- 伝説の英雄の降臨だ。densetsu no eiyū no kōrin da.It is the advent of the legendary hero.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a fantasy game.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮、このボスキャラの降臨がすごいよ！Ren, kono bosu kyara no kōrin ga sugoi yo!Ren, the advent of this boss character is amazing!
- 蓮 Ren本当だ。演出がとても豪華だね。Hontō da. Enshutsu ga totemo gōka da ne.You're right. The production is very lavish.
- 美咲 Misaki次はいつ降臨するんだろう？Tsugi wa itsu kōrin suru n darō?I wonder when it will arrive next?
- 蓮 Renきっと次のステージで出てくるよ。Kitto tsugi no sutēji de dete kuru yo.It will probably appear in the next stage.
