神のご加護がありますように
kami no gakogo ga arimasu you ni
The English phrase "may God bless you" is translated into Japanese as 神のご加護がありますように (kami no gakogo ga arimasu you ni).
神のご加護がありますように is used to express a wish for divine protection or favor to be granted to someone. It is specifically used in formal or religious contexts to express a wish for divine protection.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 神 (God), ご加護 (divine protection/blessing) and ありますように (a grammatical structure expressing a wish or prayer).
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending ありますように is a standard way to end a prayer or a formal wish, translating to "may there be" or "I pray that there is".
How do you pronounce it?
kami no gakogo ga arimasu you ni
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use this phrase as a social reflex to someone sneezing. Unlike the English "Bless you", this Japanese phrase is a solemn prayer for protection and is not used as a social reflex to sneezing.
Did you know?
- While 神 means 'god', in Japanese culture it can refer to any of the millions of kami in Shintoism, ranging from powerful deities to the spirits of trees and rivers.
- Because the phrase is so solemn, you are more likely to encounter it in historical dramas or fantasy anime than in a modern Japanese street.
- In a secular Japanese context, people often avoid using 神 and instead use phrases involving 幸運 ('good luck') to avoid sounding overly religious.
Examples in context
- 神のご加護がありますように。kami no gokago ga arimasu you ni.May God bless you.
- あなたの旅に神のご加護がありますように。anata no tabi ni kami no gokago ga arimasu you ni.May God bless your journey.
- 平和な世界に神のご加護がありますように。heiwa na sekai ni kami no gokago ga arimasu you ni.May God bless the peaceful world.
Example conversation
Yui says goodbye to Youta as he departs for a long trip abroad.
- 陽太 Yota明日から海外に行くよ。Ashita kara kaigai ni iku yo.I'm going overseas starting tomorrow.
- 結衣 Yui気をつけてね。神のご加護がありますように。Ki o tsukete ne. Kami no gokago ga arimasu you ni.Take care. May God bless you.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう、結衣。Arigatou, Yui.Thank you, Yui.
- 結衣 Yuiいってらっしゃい！Itterasshai!Have a safe trip!
