半神
hanshin
The Japanese word for demigod is 半神 (hanshin).
半神 is a noun used to describe a being that is a half-god or a hero.
Meaning: a half-god or hero (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
hanshin
Did you know?
- Japanese Shintoism possesses a concept where humans can become 神 after death, meaning the line between a human and a 半神 is more fluid than in Western mythology.
- The word 神 within 半神 is also used to describe the 神風, the 'divine wind' believed to have protected Japan from Mongol invasions.
- While English uses 'demigod' for many different types of heroes, Japanese storytelling often distinguishes between a 'demigod' and a 'celestial being' (tenjin), reserving the latter for much more sacred and divine entities.
Examples in context
- 彼は物語の中で半神として描かれている。Kare wa monogatari no naka de hanshin to shite egakarete iru.He is depicted as a demigod in the story.
- その伝説の英雄は半神だったという。Sono densetsu no eiyuu wa hanshin datta to iu.They say that legendary hero was a demigod.
- 半神の力を手に入れる物語を読みたい。Hanshin no chikara o te ni ireru monogatari o yomitai.I want to read a story about obtaining the power of a demigod.
Example conversation
Hina and Kenta are discussing a Greek mythology book.
- 陽葵 Himariこの本に半神の話が出てくるよ。Kono hon ni hanshin no hanashi ga detekuru yo.A story about a demigod appears in this book.
- 健太 Kentaへぇ、誰のことなの？Hē, dare no koto nano?Oh, who is it about?
- 陽葵 Himariヘラクレスという半神の話だよ。Herakuresu to iu hanshin no hanashi dayo.It is the story of a demigod called Heracles.
- 健太 Kentaすごく強そうなキャラクターだね。Sugoku tsuyosō na kyarakutā dane.He sounds like a very strong character.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “demigod” translations and entries 半神, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
