Japanese Conversation · Level 121
60 words
Japanese word
巫女
Pronunciation
Romajimiko
Meaning
- nounshrine maiden
Example
神社の巫女がお守りを並べています。jin ja no miko ga o mamo ri o nara be te i ma su
The shrine maiden is arranging good luck charms.
More examples
祭りの日には、巫女が参拝者の前で鈴を鳴らします。matsu ri no hi ni wa miko ga san pai sha no mae de suzu o na ra shi ma su
On the day of the festival, the shrine maiden rings a bell in front of the visitors.
Core concept
Centers on a woman who serves at a Shinto shrine by assisting with rituals and welcoming visitors.
Common phrases
巫女の舞miko no mai
shrine maiden's dance
巫女の衣装miko no i shō
shrine maiden's costume
巫女を務めるmiko o tsuto me ru
serve as a shrine maiden
Definition in Japanese
神社で神職を補助し、神楽や祈祷、授与品の扱いなどを行う女性。jin ja de shin shoku o ho jo shi kagura ya ki tō ju yo hin no atsuka i na do o okona u jo sei
Word origin
The Japanese word 巫女 (miko) combines 巫 (fu, "spirit medium") with 女 (jo, "woman"), expressing the idea of a woman connected with ritual service.
Usage tips
- In English, shrine maiden is a common translation of miko, but maiden here does not by itself mean that the woman is unmarried.