死神
The English phrase "grim reaper" is translated into Japanese as 死神.
死神 is used as the name for the personification of Death.
Meaning: personification of Death (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a compound of 死 (death) and 神 (god).
When do people say it?
In an informal context, the term お迎え (meaning receiving or welcoming) is used humorously to describe being escorted by the grim reaper.
Did you know?
- The character 死 is so potent that in some Japanese contexts, it is avoided or replaced with similar-sounding words to prevent bad luck.
- Unlike the Western reaper who is often an impartial force of nature, a Japanese 死神 in various legends is sometimes depicted as someone who can be bargained with or even tricked by humans.
- In many Japanese horror stories and anime, the 死神 is often depicted not with a scythe, but as a much more abstract or shadowy entity. The Western image of the skeletal figure with a scythe is a relatively recent import to Japanese media.
Examples in context
- この小説は、死神が人間の靈魂を探し求める物語です。This novel is a story about a grim reaper searching for human souls.
- ゲームの中で、死神さんに魂を奪われるんだ！In the game, the grim reaper takes away your soul!
- 死神さん、お迎えいただいてありがとうございます!Thank you for coming to pick me up, Mr. Grim Reaper!
- 死神は鎌を持っている。Shinigami wa kama o motte iru.The grim reaper carries a scythe.
- 死神の物語はとても怖い。Shinigami no monogatari wa totemo kowai.The story of the grim reaper is very scary.
- 死神が現れた。Shinigami ga arawareta.The grim reaper appeared.
Example conversation
Daishō and Yui are discussing a costume for a party.
- 大翔 Hirotoハロウィンに死神になります。Haruwin ni shinigami ni narimasu.I'm going to be the grim reaper for Halloween.
- 結衣 Yui大きな鎌を持ってくるの？Ōkina kama o motte kuru no?Are you bringing a big scythe?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、死神には欠かせないよね。Un, shinigami ni wa kakasenai yo ne.Yeah, a grim reaper can't do without one.
- 結衣 Yuiそれは面白そうね。Sore wa omoshirosō ne.That sounds interesting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 死神, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
