神は偉大なり
kami wa idai nari
In Japanese, 'God is great' can be expressed as 神は偉大なり (kami wa idai nari).
This phrase is used to praise the power and majesty of a deity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 神は偉大なり is composed of 神 (kami, god), the topic marker は (wa), 偉大 (idai, greatness/great) and the archaic copula なり (nari, is).
Which one should you use?
The form 神は偉大なり is literary and archaic, whereas modern conversational Japanese typically replaces the ending to form 神は偉大だ.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 神は偉大なり has a formal, literary or archaic tone, making it sound like a proclamation from a scripture or an epic poem. For a formal modern expression, you can use 神は偉大です. For informal situations, you can use 神様はすごい or 神ってすごい.
How do you pronounce it?
kami wa idai nari
Did you know?
- The word 神 (kami) is linguistically related to the word 上 (kami), meaning 'above' or 'top', reflecting the idea that deities reside in high places.
- The word すごい (sugoi) in 神様はすごい originally meant 'terrible' or 'frightening' before it evolved into a word for 'amazing'.
- In modern slang, people use the word 神 (kami) to describe anything amazing, such as a 'god-tier' video game or a 'godly' meal.
Examples in context
- 神は本当に偉大ですねGod is truly great, isn't he?
- 神ってすごいよGod is really great!
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are looking at a beautiful sunset.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、本当に綺麗な景色ね。Mite, hontou ni kirei na keshiki ne.Look, it is such a beautiful view.
- 健太 Kenta本当に、神は偉大なり。Hontou ni, kami wa idai nari.Truly, God is great.
- 美咲 Misaki自然の力には驚かされるわ。Shizen no chikara ni wa odorokasareru wa.I am amazed by the power of nature.
- 健太 Kenta心からそう思うよ。Kokoro kara sou omou yo.I feel that from the bottom of my heart.
