Kamisama
/ˌkɑː.miˈsɑː.mə/noun
A Japanese honorific term meaning a deity, god, or revered divine being.
Did you know?In Shinto, kami can refer not only to gods but also to ancestral spirits, forces of nature, extraordinary people, and sacred places.
Etymological Timeline
8th Century
Old Japanese
神 (kami)
“A deity, spirit, sacred power, or revered presence; the exact deeper origin remains disputed.”
8th Century
Old Japanese
かみ (kami)
“The native Japanese term for divine or spiritually potent beings and forces, recorded in early texts such as the Kojiki and Man'yōshū.”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
様 (sama)
“An honorific suffix expressing respect, status, or revered manner.”
Medieval Japanese
Japanese
神様 (kamisama)
“A highly respectful expression for a deity or god; literally, kami plus the honorific sama.”
Modern Japanese
Japanese
神様 (kamisama)
“God, a god, deity, or divine figure; also used reverently in religious, cultural, and fictional contexts.”
Modern English
English loanword
kamisama
“A Japanese term used in English-language religious, anime, manga, and popular-culture contexts for a god or deity.”