This article will give you all of the knowledge you need on the Japanese word kamisama, including its Japanese definition and translation, example sentences, related expressions and more!
Contents
What does kamisama mean?
Kamisama (神様、かみさま) means god in Japanese. As is the case in English, kamisama can refer to a godly being/deity or to someone who is godlike at a certain activity (e.g., the god of baseball).
The word kamisama breaks down as kami (神; god) and sama (様; an honorific to show respect). Accordingly, you will often see kami appear on its own too, signifying essentially the same thing.
Japan has many traditional gods and deities, as shown by the vast number of shrines around the country. For historical reasons and owing to its Buddhist heritage, Japan does not have a large number of Christians or those of other monotheistic faiths.
However, Japanese Christians do use the words kami and kamisama to refer to God. Without further ado, let’s look at some example sentences below that include both terms.
Kamisama meaning 1: A god
To make it easier for you, I have written each sentence in full Japanese kanji in the first line, followed by roman letters (romaji), and hiragana, with the English meaning coming last.
日本の神様について知ることは日本を知ること。
Nihon no kamisama ni tsuite shiru koto wa nihon wo shiru koto.
にほんのかみさまについてしることはにほんをしること。
To know Japan’s gods is to know Japan.
イエス・キリストは、人であり神です。
Iesu kurisuto wa, hito de ari kami desu.
いえす・きりすとは、ひとでありかみです。
Jesus Christ is both human and a god.
私は宗教的ではないけど、神様がいると思う。
Watashi wa shuukyouteki de wa nai kedo, kamisama ga iru to omou.
わたしはしゅうきょうてきではないけど、かみさまがいるとおもう。
I’m not religious, but I do think God exists.
日本にはなぜ、沢山の神様がいらっしゃるの?
Nihon ni wa naze, takusan no kamisama ga irassharu no?
にほんにはなぜ、たくさんのかみさまがいらっしゃるの?
Why does Japan have so many gods?
日本は無宗教の人が多いが、伝統として沢山の神様が残っている。
Nihon wa mushuukyou no hito ga ooi ga, dentou toshite takusan no kamisama ga nokotteiru.
にほんはむしゅうきょうの人がおおいが、でんとうとしてたくさんのかみさまがのこっている。
There are many non-religious people in Japan, but there a still a lot of gods as a matter of tradition.
Kamisama meaning 2: A master, an ace
ベーブ・ルースのことは「野球の神様」ともよく言われている。
Babe Ruth no koto wa yakyu no kamisama to mo yoku iwareteiru.
べーぶ・るーすのことはやきゅうのかみさまともよくいわれている。
Babe Ruth is often also known as the god of baseball.
彼女は料理が上手で、グルメの神様のような存在。
Kanojo wa ryouri ga jyouzu de, gurume no kamisama no you na sonzai.
かのじょはりょうりがじょうずで、ぐるめのかみさまのようなそんざい。
She is so good at cooking, like some kind of goddess of gourmet food.
昔からディエゴ・マラドーナはサッカーの神様と呼ばれている。
Mukashi kara Diego Maradona wa sakkaa no kamisama to yobareteiru.
むかしからでぃえご・まらどーなはさっかーのかみさまとよばれている。
Diego Maradona has long been called a footballing god.
Kami: When someone has done you a solid
In casual Japanese, when someone has done something kind or generous you can call them a kami as a way of thanking them for doing you a solid. Obviously, this is an informal usage that should only be used with friends.
今日は本当にありがとう。マジで神だ！
Kyou wa hontou ni arigatou. Maji de kami da!
きょうはほんとうにありがとう。まじでかみだ！
Thanks so much for today. You really did me a solid.
Rohan's favorite resource for learning Japanese is JapanesePod101, one of the best tools for getting started with the language. Sign up for a free lifetime account here.
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