救い
sukui[sɨ̥kɯ̟i]
Salvation in Japanese is 救い (sukui).
The word 救い is often used in religious contexts to refer to spiritual or divine salvation. Another term, 救済, is a common and versatile term for salvation referring to rescuing or saving someone from danger, suffering or sin.
Meaning: the process of being saved (religion) (noun)
Which one should you use?
While both words can translate to salvation, 救い often carries a connotation of spiritual or divine salvation, whereas 救済 is a more versatile term used for saving people from various forms of danger or suffering.
How do you pronounce it?
sukui
Did you know?
- The kanji 救 used in 救い is also found in the word 救急車 (kyūkyūsha), the Japanese word for an ambulance.
- The term 救済 (kyūsai) is frequently used in modern Japanese legal and government contexts to refer to financial relief or bankruptcy protection.
- In Buddhist contexts, the concept of salvation often involves 彼岸 (higan), which literally means 'the other shore', representing the transition from suffering to enlightenment.
Examples in context
- 彼の厳しい状況からの救済を試みる必要がある。We need to attempt his salvation from the difficult situation.
- 救済の道は正しい生き方かもしれない。The path to salvation might be the right way of living.
- 心の救いを見つけるため、教会に行く。I go to church to find spiritual salvation.
- 神による救いがある。There is divine salvation.
- それは魂の救いです。Sore wa tamashii no sukui desu.That is the salvation of the soul.
- 彼は救いを求めていました。Kare wa sukui o motomete imashita.He was seeking salvation.
- 宗教は救いを与えます。Shūkyō wa sukui o ataemasu.Religion provides salvation.
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are discussing a religious text.
- 健太 Kentaこの本は救いについて書いてあります。Kono hon wa sukui ni tsuite kaite arimasu.This book is written about salvation.
- 陽葵 Himari難しい内容そうですね。Muzukashii naiyō sō desu ne.It seems like difficult content.
- 健太 Kentaでも、心に響く言葉が多いです。Demo, kokoro ni hibiku kotoba ga ooi desu.But there are many words that touch the heart.
- 陽葵 Himari私も読んでみたいです。Watashi mo yonde mitai desu.I would like to read it too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “salvation” translations and entries 救い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
