Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 南無三宝 | namusanbō | |
| 南無三 | namusan | [na̠mɯ̟sã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
| おやまあ | oyamā | |
| あれまあ | aremā | |
| ああ神様 | ā kamisama | |
| おーまいがー | ōmaigā |
These expressions are used to convey sudden shock, excitement or surprise.
What does it mean word for word?
The form 南無三 is a shortened version of a Buddhist prayer that literally means "I take refuge in the three jewels".
Which one should you use?
The forms differ significantly in tone and intensity. 南無三 (namusan) sounds more dramatic or old-fashioned. In contrast, おやまあ (oyamā) is a softer, more gentle expression of surprise often associated with older women or a polite tone. あれまあ (aremā) is used for a more mild, slightly puzzled or even slightly disappointed realization of something unexpected, rather than intense shock. Finally, おーまいがー (ōmaigā) acts as a loanword to mimic the English phrase.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The register varies by form. おーまいがー is colloquial and is often used by younger people or in a playful, modern context.
How do you pronounce it?
namusanbō
Did you know?
- The term 南無 (namu) is etymologically linked to a Sanskrit word meaning 'to devote oneself' or 'to pay homage'.
- Unlike the English 'Oh my God', which can be considered blasphemous in some religious contexts, 南無三 is a Buddhist prayer and was historically used to seek protection from disaster.
- The dramatic expression 南無三 was famously used in old Kabuki plays to signal a moment of extreme crisis or a sudden, shocking revelation.
Examples in context
- あれまあ！Oh, my God!This example shows how to use あれまあ to express surprise.Tatoeba #605846 by voodoo, translation #8110392 by Raizin
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki find a very expensive lost wallet on the street.
- 蓮 Ren見て、この財布にたくさんお金が入っているよ。mite, kono saifu ni takusan okane ga haitte iru yo.Look, there is a lot of money in this wallet.
- 美咲 Misaki南無三宝！誰がこんなに落としたの？namusanpō! dare ga konna ni otoshita no?Oh my god! Who dropped this much money?
- 蓮 Renすぐに警察に届けよう。sugu ni keisatsu ni todokeyō.Let's take it to the police right away.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね、そうしよう。sō da ne, sō shiyō.You're right, let's do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oh my God” translations and entries 南無三, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 南無三, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
