救世主
kyūseishu[kʲɨːse̞ːɕɨ]
The English word "messiah" is translated into Japanese as 救世主 (kyūseishu).
救世主 refers to an extremely powerful divine figure. While it can be used in a religious sense, it is frequently used metaphorically in Japanese to describe a person who arrives to save a company, a sports team or a failing situation from a crisis.
Meaning: an extremely powerful divine figure (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 救世主 is composed of 救 (save), 世 (world) and 主 (lord/master), literally meaning "savior of the world".
Which one should you use?
The standard term is 救世主, but the katakana transliteration メシア can be used to refer specifically to the biblical Messiah in a Christian context.
How do you pronounce it?
kyūseishu
Did you know?
- The kanji 主 in 救世主 can be used to describe the 'main' or 'master' unit of a technical system or a primary product version.
- The term 救世主 is a common trope in Japanese media to describe protagonists who are often victims of their own destiny rather than just happy heroes.
- While 救世主 describes a world-saving figure, a person who saves someone from a fire or a car wreck is called a 救助者.
Examples in context
- 私たちはメシアの到来を待ち望んでいます。We are eagerly awaiting the coming of the messiah.
- その物語には救世主が登場する。Sono monogatari ni wa kyūseishu ga tōjō suru.A messiah appears in that story.
- 真の救世主は現れないかもしれない。Shin no kyūseishu wa arawarenai kamoshirenai.A true messiah might not appear.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are discussing a fantasy movie.
- 結衣 Yuiこの映画の主人公は救世主なの？Kono eiga no shujinkō wa kyūseishu nano?Is the protagonist of this movie a messiah?
- 陽太 Yotaそうだよ。世界を救う運命なんだ。Sō dayo. Sekai o sukū unmei nanda.Yes, he is. He is destined to save the world.
- 結衣 Yui救世主としての責任は重いね。Kyūseishu to shite no sekinin wa omoi ne.The responsibility as a messiah is heavy, isn't it?
- 陽太 Yota本当にそう思うよ。Hontō ni sō omou yo.I really think so too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 救世主, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
