祈り
inori[ino̞ɾʲi]
The English word 'prayer' can be translated into Japanese as 祈り (inori). If unsure, use 祈り. Wiktionary also lists 祈祷 (kitō).
Meaning: practice of communicating with one's God (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 祈り | inori | [ino̞ɾʲi] (narrow) |
| 祈祷 | kitō | [kʲito̞ː] (narrow) |
The noun 祈り refers to the practice of communicating with one's God. It is derived from the verb 祈る, which means 'to pray'.
Which one should you use?
祈り is the standard, everyday word for 'prayer' used in most contexts, such as Christian or general spiritual settings. In contrast, 祈祷 refers to more formal, ritualistic or shamanistic prayer and exorcism, often used in ceremonial or religious contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the honorific prefix お to 祈り to create お祈り is a very common way to speak about prayer politely.
How do you pronounce it?
inori
Did you know?
- In Japan, the gesture associated with 祈り often involves palms pressed together and elbows out, which differs from the clasped hands common in Western 'prayer'.
- When making a silent prayer at a shrine, the ritualized physical sequence of bowing and clapping is as important as the internal 'prayer' itself.
- Buddhist prayers in Japan often take the form of 念仏, which is the rhythmic chanting of a name or phrase rather than the free-form communication implied by 祈り.
Examples in context
- 夕飯の前にお祈りをしましょう。Let's say a prayer before dinner.This sentence shows how to use 祈り when suggesting a prayer before a meal.Tatoeba #13684226 by small_snow, translation #10018555 by Nylez
- お祈りは終わりました。Prayer is over.This sentence uses 祈り to state that a prayer has concluded.Tatoeba #10294794 by Johannes_S, translation #9959454 by Amastan
- 私たちは心から祈ります。We pray from the bottom of our hearts.
- お祈りいたします。I will pray.
- 頑張れ！祈っているよ。Hang in there! I'm praying for you.
- 彼女は静かに祈りを捧げました。kanojo wa shizuka ni inori o sasagemashita.She offered a quiet prayer.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are walking near a temple.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんは、さっき何をしていたの？misaki-san wa, sakki nani o shite ita no?Misaki, what were you doing just now?
- 美咲 Misaki心の中で、小さな祈りを捧げていたの。kokoro no naka de, chiisana inori o sasagete ita no.I was offering a small prayer in my heart.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだったんだね。とても穏やかな顔をしていたよ。soutatta n da ne. totemo odayaka na kao o shite ita yo.I see. You had a very peaceful expression.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう、陽太さん。arigatou, yota-san.Thank you, Yota.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prayer” translations and entries 祈り, 祈祷, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
