The Meaning of shinsei [神聖] In Japanese
神聖
しんせい
Romaji: shinsei
N3
What does 神聖 mean?
Translation and Meaning
sacred, holy
Definition
神聖 means sacred or holy, denoting something set apart for reverence and divine significance. It describes objects, places, or concepts regarded with sanctity and worthy of ritual respect.
Type
adjective (na-adjective)
Stroke Order
Meanings
- consecrated or set apart for religious or ceremonial use
- figurative sense of solemn authority or moral gravity
- used in formal discourse to describe places, rites, or persons considered inviolable
Composition
- 神: deity, god
- 聖: holy, sacred; saint
- combination yields sacredness or sanctity
Usage
神聲 is used as a na-adjective to describe places, objects, or acts regarded as sacred. It appears in formal writing, religious or ceremonial contexts, philosophy, and high register discourse.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a temple gate glowing with divine light; 神 (god) plus 聖 (holy) to remember sacredness.
Variations
- 聖なる (seinaru) sacred, holy
- 崇高な (sūkō-na) sublime, exalted
- 俗的 (zokuteki) secular, mundane
