神速
shinsoku
The English phrase "godlike speed" is translated into Japanese as 神速 (shinsoku).
The term refers to extremely fast movement that seems to surpass human capabilities. It is most commonly used in fiction, such as anime, manga or video games, to describe a character's movement or an attack.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 神速 is composed of the kanji 神 (god) and 速 (speed/fast).
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 神速 as an adjective to modify another noun, such as in the phrase "godlike speed attack", you must add the particle の after it, forming 神速の.
How do you pronounce it?
shinsoku
Did you know?
- The character 神 appears in many Japanese words for 'extreme' or 'peak' performance, such as 神対応 (kami-taio) for an unexpectedly perfect customer service experience.
- The term 神速 is frequently used in Japanese martial arts literature to describe a 'perfect strike' that arrives before the opponent can even perceive the movement.
- In historical Japanese contexts, terms like 神速 were less about physical sprinting and more about the divine speed of a decision or a strategic military strike.
Examples in context
- その剣士は神速で動いた。Sono kenshi wa shinsoku de ugoita.That swordsman moved with godlike speed.
- 神速の攻撃に反応できなかった。Shinsoku no kougeki ni hannou dekinakatta.I couldn't react to the attack of godlike speed.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a high-level video game character.
- 蓮 Renあのキャラクター、神速だね。Ano kyarakutaa, shinsoku da ne.That character has godlike speed, doesn't he?
- 美咲 Misaki本当、速すぎて驚くよ。Hontou, hayasugite odoroku yo.True, he's so fast it's surprising.
- 蓮 Ren美咲なら操作できるかな？Misaki nara sousa dekiru kana?I wonder if you can control him, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misaki蓮ならもっと上手く使えるよ。Ren nara motto umaku tsukaeru yo.Ren, you could use him even better.
