How to say "holiness" in Japanese

• 神聖しんせいJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, na-adjectiveThe common, general word for holiness, sacredness or sanctity; it can also convey dignity. The usual choice for the quality of being holy or sacred, in religious and broader contexts alike.
  インドでは牛うしは神聖しんせいな動物どうぶつです。↗

  In India, the cow is a sacred animal.
• ホーリネス
  nounA katakana loanword for 'holiness' in the Christian sense — church and theological usage; outside such contexts it is seldom the word you want, and 神聖 serves instead.
• 聖性せいせい
  nounAn abstract noun for holiness or sanctity as a property or concept — the quality itself, not a holy thing. Much less common than 神聖; found mainly where holiness is analyzed or discussed.
• 神聖性しんせいせい
  nounNames the quality of being sacred or holy, and can also suggest divinity. Less common than 神聖; suited to abstract statements about the holiness or sanctity of something.

Choose 神聖 as the common, general word for holiness or sacredness; use 神聖性 or 聖性 for the abstract quality itself; 「ホーリネス」 is a loanword found mainly in Christian contexts.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 神聖しんせいholiness
• ホーリネスholiness
• 聖性せいせいholiness
• 神聖性しんせいせいsacredness