All natural objects and phenomena used to be considered as having kami, so the gods of Shinto were uncountably numerous.
Source: tatoeba (1018178)
Kami
Synonyms for "kami" (13 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: deity, divinity, exclusive we, hair, izanagi.
- Sentence evidence is available for kami, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from opengloss, derived_reverse.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "kami".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "kami"
Keep "kami" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "kami" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "kami", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "kami" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
8 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
12 entriesShinto kamiancestor kamianggota kamidivine beingdokumen kamikami shrinekebijakan kaminature spiritpernyataan kamirisalah kamiriver kamitanggung jawab kami
Inflections
1 entriesSample sentences
7 total sentences available.
Maybe, the Japanese animistic belief in the "kami"—spirits, souls, and gods ubiquitous in nature—facilitates the incorporation of Jesus Christ. Some Hindus in India believe that Jesus Christ was one of the incarnations of Vishnu.
Source: tatoeba (10508410)
More than seven decades after the big war, Japanese still do not tend to Christianity. I think that Japan's Shintoism is like India's Hinduism. These religions just absorb foreign elements. Some Hindus believe that Jesus Christ was an incarnation of Vishnu. He may be one of the "kami" in Shintoism.
Source: tatoeba (10546709)
According to Shinto, at the death of a person, there are several possible destinations: in the young life far beyond the ocean, in the invisible astral world, in the underworld, or in the mountains to watch out for family survivors. In Shinto, the notion exists that a person may become a "kami." There are many "kami," and they are sometimes called "kamigami." Sometimes, the Japanese call God "Kami-sama." Often, "kami" also means spirits or souls, not just gods.
Source: tatoeba (10564108)
Showing 4 of 7 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "kami"?
Closest matches include deity, divinity, exclusive we, hair, izanagi.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "kami"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.