私は神だ
watashi wa kami da
The Japanese phrase for "I am God" is 私は神だ (watashi wa kami da).
This phrase is used to make a claim that one is a deity or possesses divine power.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 私は神だ is composed of the first-person pronoun 私 (watashi), the topic marker は (wa), the noun 神 (kami) and the assertive copula だ (da).
Which one should you use?
俺は神だ uses the masculine pronoun ore to make the claim sound more masculine, arrogant or informal, which is common in anime or dramatic contexts. 僕は神だよ uses the neutral pronoun boku and the informal sentence-ending particle yo to mean "I am a god."
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the level of politeness by replacing the assertive da with desu, which makes the statement polite rather than blunt or assertive. For example, 私は神です is the polite version of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
watashi wa kami da
Did you know?
- Because 神 (kami) is a homophone for the word for 'paper' 紙 (kami), written characters are essential to avoid confusing a divine claim with a claim about stationery.
- In traditional Shinto belief, the boundary between humans and 神 (kami) is fluid, and certain humans can be enshrined as deities after death.
- In Japanese media, a character claiming to be 神 often uses the pronoun 我 (ware) instead of 私 or 俺. This archaic pronoun gives the speaker an ancient, unstoppable, and overwhelmingly powerful aura.
Examples in context
- 私は神ですので、私の力は無限です。Since I am God, my power is infinite.
- 俺は神だから、なんでもできるぜ。I am a god, so I can do anything.
- 僕は神だよ！何をしても絶対に勝つ！I am a god! I will win no matter what I do!
- 私は神だと言いたい。Watashi wa kami da to iitai.I want to say that I am god.
- 私は神だ、と彼は叫んだ。Watashi wa kami da, to kare wa sakunda.I am god, he shouted.
- 私は神だという妄想を持っている。Watashi wa kami da to iu mousou o motte iru.I have a delusion that I am god.
Example conversation
Kenta is acting in a play about ancient myths.
- 健太 Kenta私は神だ！Watashi wa kami da!I am god!
- 陽葵 Himari健太、演技が上手ね。Kenta, engi ga jōzu ne.Kenta, your acting is good.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、陽葵。Arigatō, Himari.Thank you, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himari本当に神様みたいだったわ。Hontō ni kamisama mitai datta wa.You really looked like a deity.
