Japanese word

拝む

Pronunciation

Romajiogamu

Meaning

  • verbpray

Example

神社で拝みます。jin ja de oga mi ma su

I pray at the shrine.

Illustration for 拝む (pray)

More examples

旅行の前に、家族の無事を願って神棚を拝みます。ryo kō no mae ni ka zoku no bu ji o nega tte kami dana o oga mi ma su

Before a trip, I pray before the household shrine for my family's safety.

Core concept

Centers on presenting oneself reverently before a sacred object or being, whether in prayer or in an act of homage.

Common phrases

  • 神様を拝むkami sama o oga mu

    worship a god

  • 仏様を拝むfutsu sama o oga mu

    worship the Buddha

  • 墓前で拝むbo zen de oga mu

    pay one's respects at a grave

Similar words

祈るinoru: To ask a sacred being for help or a desired outcome in prayer.
礼拝するreihaisuru: To perform formal worship before a sacred being or object.
崇めるagameru: To regard a being or object as sacred and show it deep reverence.

Definition in Japanese

神仏を敬い、願いを伝えるために祈る。shin butsu o uyama i nega i o tsuta e ru ta me ni ino ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 拝む (ogamu) comes from the older verb おろがむ (orogamu, "to worship or pray to a deity").

Usage tips

  • The verb 拝む (ogamu) can also apply to worship before an altar or a Buddhist image, not only to prayer at a shrine.

Other meanings

  • worshipverb
  • pay one's respectsverb

Related words

  • 拝み方ogamikataway of prayingnoun

Word lists with this word