How to Say ‘That's the Saiodai.’ in Japanese
斎王代です。
saiou dai desu
[SAI-oh DAI dess]
🇯🇵 In Japan: The 斎王代 (saiōdai) is the stand-in for the imperial princess who once served at Kyoto's Kamo shrines. Dressed in layered Heian-era robes, she is the parade's most photographed figure.
Phrase Breakdown
斎王
saiou
[SAI-oh]
Saiō (imperial shrine princess)
In old times, an unmarried imperial princess who served at the Kamo Shrines in Kyoto.
昔、斎王は神社に仕えました。
Long ago, the Saiō served at the shrine.
代
dai
[DAI]
substitute; acting for
A suffix meaning someone who stands in for another; Saiōdai is the woman who plays the Saiō today.
彼は社長の代わりです。
He is substituting for the president.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
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