How to say "deity" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 神かみnounThe general, neutral word for a god or deity, also covering divinities and spirits. It is the default for 'deity' — gods of myth, deities enshrined at a shrine — when no honorific coloring is wanted.
- 神明しんめいnounA two-kanji synonym of 神, meaning deity or god. Because 神 already covers this sense, this word is seldom what you reach for when translating 'deity' — use 神 instead.
- 神様かみさまnounFormed by adding the honorific 様 to 神, this is the respectful way to refer to a deity, as in prayer. It also covers 'God' with a capital G.
Use 神 as the neutral general word for gods, deities and spirits; choose 神様 to speak of a deity respectfully (it also covers 'God'); 神明 is a two-kanji synonym of 神 that is seldom the word you want.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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