マントラ
mantora[mã̠nto̞ɾa̠]
The Japanese word for mantra is マントラ (mantora).
The term refers to a slogan or a phrase that is often repeated.
Meaning: a slogan or phrase often repeated (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is romanized as mantora.
Did you know?
- The traditional Japanese term for mantra, 真言 (shingon), is the namesake of the 'Shingon' school of Buddhism, also known as True Word Buddhism.
- Because マントラ is a loanword from Sanskrit, it is written using Katakana, the script reserved for foreign-derived words. This visually signals to a Japanese reader that the concept originated outside of Japan.
- Because of its Sanskrit roots, the word マントラ carries a much heavier ritualistic and sacred weight in Japan than the modern, casual way 'mantra' is often used in English-speaking self-help circles.
Examples in context
- チームのマントラを唱えよう。Chīmu no mantora o tonaeyō.Let's recite the team's mantra.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are talking about their goals for the year.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太くん、今年の目標はある？Yota-kun, kotoshi no mokuhyō wa aru?Yota, do you have a goal for this year?
- 陽太 Yota「前向きに」というマントラを掲げてるよ。「Maemuki ni」 to iu mantora o kakageteru yo.I'm using the mantra "be positive."
- 美咲 Misakiいいマントラね！Ii mantora ne!That's a great mantra!
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。美咲さんはどう？Arigatō. Misaki-san wa dō?Thanks. How about you, Misaki?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry マントラ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
