死をもたらす者
shi o motarasu mono
In Japanese, "bringer of death" is expressed as 死をもたらす者 (shi o motarasu mono).
死をもたらす者 refers to a person or entity that causes death to occur. This phrase has a literary, dramatic or mythological tone and is not used in everyday conversation to describe someone's job or actions. In more formal settings, you might use 死の使い, which literally translates to "messenger of death," to convey a similar concept. When referring specifically to entities responsible for guiding souls toward the afterlife, the term 死神 (meaning "death god" or "death spirit") is used. In informal speech, you might hear 死神っぽいやつ to describe someone who looks like a shinigami or seems to carry an aura of death or bad luck.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 死 (death), を (an object marker), もたらす (to bring or cause to occur) and 者 (a person or one who does).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb もたらす is used in its dictionary form to act as an adjective phrase that modifies the noun 者.
How do you pronounce it?
shi o motarasu mono
Did you know?
- Japanese has distinct words for 'death' depending on the context, and using the character 死 (shi) is often avoided in hospitals or during New Year's because it is considered a linguistic taboo.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of a 'death god' differs from the Western 'Grim Reaper' because 死神 are often portrayed as bureaucrats or guides rather than just skeletons with scythes.
- While 死をもたらす者 sounds menacing, the verb もたらす is frequently used for positive things, such as 幸いをもたらす meaning 'to bring happiness'.
Examples in context
- 彼は死をもたらす者として恐れられている。Kare wa shi o motarasu mono toshite osorerarete iru.He is feared as a bringer of death.
- その伝説の獣は死をもたらす者だ。Sono densetsu no kemono wa shi o motarasu mono da.That legendary beast is a bringer of death.
- 死をもたらす者を止める術はない。Shi o motarasu mono o tomeru suberu wa nai.There is no way to stop the bringer of death.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a dark fantasy novel.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの物語の悪役は、死をもたらす者だよ。Kono monogatari no akuyaku wa, shi o motarasu mono da yo.The villain of this story is the bringer of death.
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、そんなに恐ろしい人物なの？E', sonna ni osoroshii jinbutsu nano?What, is he such a terrifying person?
- 大翔 Hirotoああ、触れるものすべてを滅ぼすんだ。Aa, fureru mono subete o horobosu n da.Yeah, he destroys everything he touches.
- 陽葵 Himari結末がどうなるか気になるね。Ketsumatsu ga dou naru ka ki ni naru ne.I wonder how it will end.
