神社
jinja[d͡ʑĩɲ̟d͡ʑa̠]
In Japanese, the phrase "shinto shrine" is translated as 神社 (jinja).
The term 神社 is used to refer to the physical building and the sacred site where Shinto deities are enshrined.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of the Kansai region, people sometimes refer to a Shinto shrine as 宮.
Did you know?
- The standard way to pray at a 神社 involves a specific sequence of actions: bow twice, clap your hands twice, pray, and bow once more.
- The word 神 in 神社 refers to 'kami'. Unlike the English word 'god', 神 can refer to ancestors, spirits of nature, or even extraordinary people.
- The character 社 (sha) originally referred to a god of the earth or agriculture, specifically the spirits of the land and the harvest.
Examples in context
- 美しい神社ですね。It's a beautiful shrine, isn't it?
- はい、ここは有名な神宮です。Yes, this is a famous Shinto shrine.
- 明日、お宮に行きたいんだけど一緒に来てくれる？I want to go to a shrine tomorrow, would you come with me?
- この近くに古い神社があります。Kono chikaku ni furui jinja ga arimasu.There is an old Shinto shrine near here.
- 神社でお参りをしてきました。Jinja de omairi o shite kimashita.I went to a Shinto shrine to pray.
- あの神社はとても有名です。Ano jinja wa totemo yuumei desu.That Shinto shrine is very famous.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are walking through a neighborhood in Japan.
- 大翔 Hirotoあそこに神社が見えますね。Asoko ni jinja ga miemasu ne.I can see a Shinto shrine over there.
- 美咲 Misaki本当ですね。とても綺麗です。Hontou desu ne. Totemo kirei desu.You're right. It's very beautiful.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんは神社が好きですか？Misaki-san wa jinja ga suki desu ka?Misaki, do you like Shinto shrines?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love them.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 神社, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
