侍魂
samurai damashii
The phrase "samurai spirit" in Japanese is 侍魂 (samurai damashii).
What does it mean word for word?
侍魂 is a compound of 侍 (samurai) and 魂 (damashii/spirit/soul).
Which one should you use?
武士の魂 means "the spirit of the warrior" and is a formal expression.
How do you pronounce it?
samurai damashii
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, a samurai's sword was often called the 武士の魂 (bushi no tamashii), meaning the sword itself was considered the physical embodiment of the warrior's spirit.
- While the phrase 侍魂 evokes the historical warrior, it is frequently used today in sports media to describe an athlete's relentless determination or refusal to give up.
- The word 魂 (damashii) is also used in the phrase 魂を込める, which means to pour one's soul into a piece of art or a craft.
Examples in context
- 武士の魂は永遠です。The spirit of the warrior is eternal.
- この剣士の侍魂は素晴らしいです。This swordsman's samurai spirit is remarkable.
- 鬼の魂を持った武士たちが義を貫きました。Samurai with the spirit of a demon upheld their principles.
- 侍魂を忘れてはいけない。Samurai damashii o wasurete wa ikenai.You must not forget the samurai spirit.
- その映画は侍魂を描いている。Sono eiga wa samurai damashii o egaite iru.That movie depicts the samurai spirit.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are discussing a traditional martial arts class.
- 健太 Kentaこのクラスでは侍魂を学びます。kono kurasu de wa samurai damashii o manabimasu.In this class, we learn the samurai spirit.
- 結衣 Yuiそれはとてもかっこいいですね。sore wa totemo kakkoii desu ne.That sounds very cool.
- 健太 Kenta心身ともに鍛えることができます。shinshin tomo ni kitaeru koto ga dekimasu.You can train both your mind and body.
- 結衣 Yui私も侍魂を身につけたいです。watashi mo samurai damashii o mi ni tsuketai desu.I want to acquire the samurai spirit too.
