How to say "incarnation" in Japanese

• 具現ぐげんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbIncarnation as embodiment or realization: an abstract idea, ideal, or plan given concrete form. Choose it when 'incarnation' means something abstract made concrete rather than a person who personifies a quality.
• 化身けしんCommon
  suru verb, no-adjective, intransitive verbIncarnation as personification: a person or being that personifies a quality, as opposed to an idea given concrete form. It also covers impersonation and the avatar sense.
  彼かれは利己りこ主義しゅぎの化身けしんだ。↗

  He is the personification of selfishness.
• 権化ごんげCommon
  nounIncarnation in the Buddhist sense: a Buddha or bodhisattva manifesting in bodily form; avatar is a further sense. When 'incarnation' refers to a Buddha or bodhisattva, this is the word that matches it.

Choose 具現 when an idea or ideal is given concrete form, 化身 when a person or being personifies a quality, and 権化 when a Buddha or bodhisattva manifests in bodily form; 化身 and 権化 also cover 'avatar'.

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

• 具現ぐげんincarnation
• 化身けしんincarnation
• 権化ごんげincarnation (of Buddha or bodhisattva)
• 受肉じゅにくIncarnation (of Christ)
• 体現者たいげんしゃ(human) embodiment (of)
• 化現けげんmanifesting in a bodily form (of a god or Buddha)
• 変化へんげincarnation
• 現身げんしんincarnation (of a Buddha or bodhisattva)