How to Say ‘God’ in Japanese
神さま
kami sama
[kah-mee sah-mah]
💬 Usage Tip: [神] means “god,” and [さま] is a very respectful suffix. [神さま] sounds warm, reverent, and gentle.
🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan, [神さま] can refer to the Christian God, but also to gods in Shinto or general religious talk. Context matters.
Phrase Breakdown
神
kami
[kah-mee]
god; deity
A respectful religious word meaning God or a god.
神を信じる人もいます。
Some people believe in God.
さま
sama
[sah-mah]
honorable title; revered person
A respectful suffix added to show reverence or deep politeness.
お客さまはもう来ました。
The guest has already come.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager