How to say "sacred" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 聖なるせいなるpre-noun adjectivalThe direct equivalent for religious holiness: gods, rites, places and objects set apart as holy. Less common than 尊い, it carries a solemn, reverent tone.
- 尊いとうといi-adjectiveThe common word of the three, but its 'sacred' sense is 'precious and worthy of reverence' rather than religious holiness: think of a treasured life, memory or ideal that must not be treated lightly.
- 聖せいnoun, na-adjectiveSeldom the standalone word you want: it is really an element of religious vocabulary, carrying a nuance of holiness and purity, rather than an independent word you use to say 'sacred'.
Use 「聖なる」 for religious holiness; use the common 「尊い」 when 'sacred' means precious and deserving of reverence; 聖 is less common and chiefly an element of religious vocabulary, seldom used independently.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
