How to Say ‘God welcomes us like children.’ in Japanese
神さまは私たちを子どものように迎えます。
kami sama wa watashi tachi o kodomo no you ni mukae masu
[kah-mee sah-mah wah wah-tah-shee tah-chee oh koh-doh-moh noh yoh nee moo-kah-eh mahss]
💬 Usage Tip: [私たちを] marks “us” as the object, [子どものように] means “like children,” and [迎えます] means “welcomes.” The sentence order is very Japanese: topic, object, manner, verb.
🇯🇵 In Japan: Japanese often places the most important action at the end of the sentence, so listeners wait for the verb like a little finale.
Phrase Breakdown
神さま
kami sama
God
A respectful way to say “God.”
神さまは愛です。
God is love.
Words in this phrase
神
kami
[kah-mee]
god; deity
Refers to God or a god. In this sentence it is read かみ.
神を信じる人もいます。
There are also people who believe in God.
さま
sama
[sah-mah]
honorific suffix; honorable
A respectful suffix added to nouns, often showing reverence or politeness.
神さまに祈ります。
I pray to God.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker
Particle that marks the topic of the sentence. Written は but pronounced わ here.
私は学生です。
As for me, I am a student.
私たち
watashi tachi
us; we
Refers to “us” or “we.”
私たちは家族です。
We are family.
Words in this phrase
私
watashi
[wah-tah-shee]
I; me
A common pronoun meaning I or me. In neutral to polite contexts it is usually read わたし.
私は日本語を勉強しています。
I am studying Japanese.
たち
tachi
[tah-chee]
plural suffix; group marker
Added to pronouns or some nouns to make them plural, like 'we' or 'they'.
私たちは友だちです。
We are friends.
を
o
[oh]
object marker
Particle marking the direct object of a verb. Written を and pronounced お.
本を読みます。
I read a book.
子どものように
kodomo no you ni
like children; as children
Shows the manner in which God receives us.
子どものように笑います。
He laughs like a child.
Words in this phrase
子ども
kodomo
[koh-doh-moh]
child
Means child or children depending on context.
子どもが公園で遊んでいます。
Children are playing in the park.
の
no
[noh]
of; linking particle
Connects nouns, often showing possession or describing one noun with another.
日本の文化が好きです。
I like Japanese culture.
よう
you
[yoh]
seeming; like; in the manner of
Used to express resemblance, as in 'like' or 'as if'.
子どものように笑います。
He smiles like a child.
に
ni
[nee]
in; to; as; like
A particle with many uses. Here it helps form ように, meaning 'like' or 'in the manner of'.
静かに話してください。
Please speak quietly.
迎えます
mukae masu
welcomes; receives
Means to welcome or receive someone.
駅で友だちを迎えます。
I meet/welcome my friend at the station.
Words in this phrase
迎え
mukae
[moo-kah-eh]
to welcome; to receive; to go meet
Stem form of 迎える. It expresses welcoming or going to meet someone.
空港で家族を迎えました。
I met my family at the airport.
ます
masu
[mahss]
polite verb ending
A polite ending used after a verb stem.
明日学校へ行きます。
I will go to school tomorrow.
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