Japanese word

神宮

Pronunciation

Romajijingū

Meaning

  • nounimperial shrine

Example

その神宮は皇室と深い関係があります。so no jin gū wa kō shitsu to fuka i kan kei ga a ri ma su

That imperial shrine has close ties to the Imperial Family.

Illustration for 神宮 (imperial shrine)

More examples

旅行中に、神宮の境内をゆっくり歩きました。ryo kō chū ni jin gū no kei dai o yu kku ri aru ki ma shi ta

During my trip, I walked slowly through the grounds of an imperial shrine.

Core concept

Describes a Shinto shrine that honors a deity connected with the imperial family and holds a distinguished status.

Common phrases

  • 神宮の鳥居jin gū no tori i

    torii gate of an imperial shrine

  • 神宮を参拝するjin gū o san pai su ru

    worship at an imperial shrine

Similar words

神社jinja: A place of worship in the Shinto tradition that does not by itself indicate an imperial connection.

Definition in Japanese

皇室の祖先や皇族に関係する神をまつる、特に格式の高い神社。kō shitsu no so sen ya kō zoku ni kan kei su ru kami o ma tsu ru toku ni kaku shiki no taka i jin ja

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 神宮 (jingū) joins 神 (jin, "deity") with 宮 (gū, "palace or shrine"), a combination used for an especially prestigious Shinto shrine.

Usage tips

  • The name 熱田神宮 (Atsuta Jingū) appears in English as Atsuta Shrine, illustrating how 神宮 (jingū) in a Japanese place name is often translated as Shrine.

Word lists with this word