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N3

Kanji 神: meanings, readings, and example words.

2 min read

Kanji 神: gods, mind, soul

Key takeaways

Kanji 神: gods, mind, soul. Readings and core meaning.

See vocabulary and examples below.

Kanji at a glance

N3

Meaning

godsmindsoul

On reading

シンジン

Kun reading

かみかん-こう-

Radical

Core meaning / core image

Core meaning: 神

gods, mind, soul

Kanji structure breakdown

Structure breakdown

礻 + 申

Mnemonic story

Mnemonic story

This kanji combines the ritual radical (礻), representing spirits, with the component for extending or speaking (申). It depicts divine power extending from the heavens like lightning or the act of speaking to a deity, signifying 'god' or 'spirit'.

On'yomi and kun'yomi

On reading

シン
  • 神聖しんせい

    holiness / sacredness / dignity

  • 神殿しんでん

    temple / sacred place

  • 神秘しんぴ

    mystery / secret / enigma

  • 神話しんわ

    myth / legend

  • 神経しんけい

    nerve / sensitivity

  • 精神せいしん

    mind / spirit / heart / intention

  • 神社じんじゃ

    Shinto shrine

Kun reading

かみ
  • 神様かみさま

    god / deity

  • かみ

    god / deity / divine being

Commonly used words

  • 神聖
    しんせい

    holiness / sacredness / dignity

  • 神殿
    しんでん

    temple / sacred place

  • 神秘
    しんぴ

    mystery / secret / enigma

  • 神話
    しんわ

    myth / legend

  • 神経
    しんけい

    nerve / sensitivity

  • 精神
    せいしん

    mind / spirit / heart / intention

  • 神様
    かみさま

    god / deity

  • かみ

    god / deity / divine being

Example sentences

Example 1

この場所は聖な場所です。

Translation

This place is a sacred place.

Example 2

言葉には聖な意味がある。

Translation

Words have a sense of dignity.

Example 3

その殿は歴史的に有名です。

Translation

That temple is historically famous.

Example 4

殿で静かに祈りました。

Translation

I prayed quietly at the temple.

Kanji 神: gods, mind, soul | Daily Nihongo