拝む|おがむogamu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto assume the posture of praying; to press the palms and fingers of both hands together; to do reverence (e.g. before a statue of the Buddha); to pay one's respects
- godan verb, transitive verbto beg; to make a supplication
- godan verb, transitive verbto see (something or someone of high status)sometimes used sarcastically in modern Japanese
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 拝む（おがむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 拝みます（おがみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 拝まない（おがまない） |
| polite (masen) | 拝みません（おがみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 拝まず・拝まぬ（おがまず・おがまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 拝んだ（おがんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 拝みました（おがみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 拝まなかった（おがまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 拝みませんでした（おがみませんでした） |
| Te form | 拝んで（おがんで） |
| Potential | 拝める（おがめる） |
| Passive | 拝まれる（おがまれる） |
| Causative | 拝ませる（おがませる） |
| Causative passive | 拝ませられる・拝まされる（おがませられる・おがまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 拝めば（おがめば） |
| tara | 拝んだら（おがんだら） |
| Volitional | 拝もう（おがもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 拝みましょう（おがみましょう） |
| Imperative | 拝め（おがめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym礼拝れいはいNeutralReligious worship, esp. Christian; used in speech and writing, read 「れいはい」 in Christian contexts. 「拝む」 is the physical act of joining the hands, and can mean begging.
- Synonym拝礼はいれいWrittenWritten/formal prose: bowing or worshipping before gods and Buddhas. 「拝む」 is the more everyday word, and also covers begging.
- Synonym奉拝ほうはいWrittenWritten/formal prose, and rare: reverent worship. In everyday speech, 「拝む」 is what you use.
- Relatedお参りおまいりNeutralVisiting a shrine, temple or grave to worship; very common in speech. 「拝む」 is the act of joining the hands and bowing itself.
- Related参拝さんぱいWrittenWritten/formal prose for visiting a shrine or temple to worship, as in 「靖国参拝」. 「拝む」 is the act of joining the hands in prayer.
- Related崇拝すうはいNeutralWorship or adoration of a god or idol, felt as intense devotion. 「拝む」 is the concrete physical act of joining the hands.
- Related願うねがうNeutralTo wish for or request something, as in 「お願いします」. 「拝む」 is begging with hands joined, a more earnest plea.
- Related敬ううやまうNeutralTo respect or honour elders, the gods, etc.; the emphasis is on one's inner attitude. 「拝む」 is the outward gesture.
- Related崇めるあがめるNeutralTo revere or even deify someone, as in 「神と崇める」. 「拝む」 is the act of joining the hands in reverence.
- Related尊崇そんすうWrittenWritten/formal prose for holding someone in deep respect and reverence. In everyday speech, 「敬う」 is the usual word.
- Antonym蔑むさげすむNeutralThe antonym on the respect–contempt axis: to scorn or despise someone.
- Antonym見下すみくだすNeutralAlso opposed to 「拝む」 on the respect–contempt axis: to look down on someone as one's inferior.
Use 「拝む」 for joining the hands in prayer, worshipping gods and Buddhas, or begging earnestly. For visiting a shrine or temple, say 「お参り」 in speech or 「参拝」 in writing; for inner respect use 「敬う」, and for intense worship 「崇拝」. The antonyms 「蔑む」 and 「見下す」 express scorn instead of reverence.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
