神
kami[ka̠mʲi]
The Japanese word for God is 神 (kami). Wiktionary also lists 神様 (kamisama).
Meaning: deity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 神 | kami | [ka̠mʲi] (narrow) [ɕĩɴ] (narrow) |
|
| 神様 | kamisama | [ka̠mʲisa̠ma̠] (narrow) [kã̠ɰ̃sa̠ː] (narrow) |
honorific |
The term is used to refer to a deity. In the context of Shintoism, 神 refers to a wide variety of spirits, natural phenomena or divine beings rather than a single monotheistic God. It can also be used as a name for the single deity of monotheism or the single male deity of duotheism.
Which one should you use?
神 is the base noun for deity, while 神様 is the more common and polite way to refer to a deity in speech or when praying.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
神様 is a formal and polite way to say God in Japanese.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form for multiple deities is 神々.
How do you pronounce it?
kami
When do people say it?
When addressing or speaking about a deity in a respectful manner, speakers commonly use 神様 to express high respect.
Did you know?
- In modern slang, 神 is used as an adjective to describe someone with incredible skill or a perfect performance, similar to calling someone a 'god' in English gaming culture.
- In Japanese culture, the concept of 神 is so broad that it can include ancestors or exceptionally virtuous humans who became deities after death.
- While 神 and 'upper' or 'hair' are all pronounced as kami, they are entirely different words with no linguistic connection to one another.
Examples in context
- 神は存在する。God is.This sentence using 神 is useful for stating the existence of God.Tatoeba #144905 by tommy_san, translation #269646 by shekitten
- 神などいない。God doesn't exist.This sentence using 神 is useful for expressing that God does not exist.Tatoeba #12988545 by small_snow, translation #1232220 by jakov
- 神のみぞが知る。Only God knows.This sentence using 神 is useful for saying that only God knows something.Tatoeba #144930 by bunbuku, translation #269633 by Eldad
- 私は神様を信じています。I believe in God.
- 私たちは主に祈ります。We pray to God.
- 神を信じますか？Do you believe in God?
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are visiting a Shinto shrine.
- 美咲 Misakiここにはどんな神が祀られていますか。Koko ni wa donna kami ga matsurarete imasu ka.What kind of god is enshrined here?
- 健太 Kenta学問の神だそうですよ。Gakumon no kami da sō desu yo.I heard it's the god of learning.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。私も神にお願いをします。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo kami ni onegai o shimasu.That's nice. I will also make a wish to the god.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんの願いが叶うといいですね。Misaki-san no negai ga kanau to ii desu ne.I hope your wish comes true, Misaki.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God” translations and entries 神, 神様, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 神, 神様, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
