業
gō[ɡʲo̞ː]
In Japanese, karma is expressed as 業 (gō). If unsure, use 業. Wiktionary also lists カルマ (karuma) and 羯磨 (katsuma).
Meaning: the total effect of a person’s actions and conduct during the successive phases of his existence (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 業 | gō | [ɡʲo̞ː] (narrow) [ɡo̞ː] (narrow) |
| カルマ | karuma | [ka̠ɾɯ̟ma̠] (narrow) |
| 羯磨 | katsuma | [ka̠t͡sɨma̠] (narrow) |
Karma refers to the total effect of a person’s actions and conduct through the successive phases of their existence. The term 業 (gō) is frequently used when discussing one's past sins, heavy karma or an inescapable fate. In a more specific context regarding retribution, the phrase 因果応報 is used to mean retribution in kind.
Which one should you use?
The Japanese language offers different ways to express this concept depending on the context. The kanji form 業 (gō) is rooted in Buddhist terminology and is more formal. In contrast, the loanword カルマ (karuma) is used in everyday conversations, modern pop culture or casual spiritual discussions. The form 羯磨 (katsuma) is also a way to represent the concept.
How do you pronounce it?
gō
Did you know?
- The kanji used for 'karma', 業, is also the same character used in the phrase for 'to earn a living'.
- The word 業 (gō) is related to the verb 'to become', suggesting that one's actions are what shape one's future state.
- The phonetic way to write the Sanskrit word, 羯磨, is specifically used within certain Buddhist schools like Tendai and Jōdo-shū.
Examples in context
- 運命は自分の行動に起因するものだ。Destiny is determined by one's actions.
- 今の彼の境遇は因果応報と言えるだろう。His current circumstances can be seen as karma.
- 前世の業が影響しているのかもしれない。Zense no gou ga eikyou shite iru no kamo shirenai.It might be the influence of one's karma from a previous life.
- 彼は業によって苦しみを受けている。Kare wa gou ni yotte kurushimi o ukete iru.He is suffering due to his karma.
- 業を積むことは難しい。Gou o tsumu koto wa muzukashii.Accumulating karma is difficult.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are discussing a series of unfortunate events.
- 陽太 Yota最近、悪いことばかり起きるよ。Saikin, warui koto bakari okiru yo.Lately, only bad things have been happening.
- 結衣 Yuiそれはあなたの業かもしれないね。Sore wa anata no gō kamoshirenai ne.That might be your karma, Yota.
- 陽太 Yotaそんなに厳しいことを言わないでくれ。Sonna ni kibishii koto o iwanaide kure.Please don't be so harsh with me.
- 結衣 Yuiただの冗談だよ。気にしないで。Tada no jōdan dayo. Ki ni shinaide.It was just a joke. Don't worry about it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “karma” translations and entries 業, カルマ, 羯磨, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries カルマ, 業, 羯磨, CC BY-SA 4.0.
