神殺し
kamigoroshi
The English phrase "God killer" is translated into Japanese as 神殺し (kamigoroshi).
神殺し refers to a person or entity capable of killing a deity. This term is most commonly found in the context of fantasy literature, anime and video games rather than in religious or everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding the particle の (no) to 神殺し, you can use the phrase as an adjective to modify a noun, such as 'a god-killing sword'.
How do you pronounce it?
kamigoroshi
Did you know?
- The word 神 (kami) is used in the modern slang term 神対応 (kami-taiou) to describe 'god-tier' customer service. This means the same root used for 'god killer' also describes extreme politeness.
- Because deities in Japanese thought are often viewed as fundamental laws of nature, a 神殺し is often depicted as someone who breaks the laws of the universe rather than just killing a person.
- The kanji 殺 used in 神殺し contains a radical specifically relating to striking with a weapon. This gives the written phrase a more physical and martial feeling than the English translation.
Examples in context
- 彼は神殺しと呼ばれている。Kare wa kamigoroshi to yobarete iru.He is called a god killer.
- 伝説の神殺しが現れた。Densetsu no kamigoroshi ga arawareta.A legendary god killer appeared.
- その武器は神殺しの力を持っている。Sono buki wa kamigoroshi no chikara o motte iru.That weapon possesses the power of a god killer.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a fantasy novel.
- 陽葵 Himariこの本の主人公は神殺しなんだよ。Kono hon no shujinkō wa kamigoroshi nan da yo.The protagonist of this book is a god killer.
- 大翔 Hirotoそんなことが本当に可能なの？Sonna koto ga hontō ni kanō na no?Is something like that actually possible?
- 陽葵 Himari物語の中なら何でもできるよ。Monogatari no naka nara nan demo dekiru yo.Anything is possible within a story.
- 大翔 Hiroto確かに、面白い設定だね。Tashika ni, omoshiroi settei da ne.True, that is an interesting setting.
