Translation and Meaning of: 祈り - inori

If you've ever wondered how the Japanese express the idea of a prayer or supplication, the word 祈り (いのり) is the key to understanding this deeply rooted concept in Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore the etymology, everyday usage, and even the pictogram behind this kanji, which carries a unique spiritual and emotional meaning. Furthermore, you will discover how to memorize this word effectively and the contexts in which it appears most frequently.

If you use Suki Nihongo, the largest online Japanese dictionary, you may have seen that 祈り is not just a standalone word—it comes with practical examples and ready-made sentences for you to study on Anki or another spaced repetition system. And if you've ever tried to understand why this kanji has this form, get ready: the explanation is more interesting than it seems.

Etymology and origin of the kanji 祈

The kanji 祈 is composed of two radicals: 示 (しめすへん), which is related to divinities and rituals, and 斤 (おの), which originally meant "axe." But hold on, that doesn't mean that prayer is about chopping things! In fact, the radical 斤 here functions more as a phonetic indicator, helping with the reading き (ki) or いの (ino). Meanwhile, the radical 示 makes it clear that the word is connected to the sacred, to requests made to something greater than ourselves.

Interestingly, the verb associated with this word, 祈る (いのる), carries the same essence: an act of asking, pleading, or even intensely wishing for something. If you have ever watched a Japanese anime or drama, you have probably seen characters bringing their hands together and murmuring 「お願いします…」—that’s right, this is a colloquial form of 祈り in action.

Everyday use and cultural contexts

In Japan, 祈り is not limited to religious settings. It appears in everyday situations, such as rooting for someone (「合格を祈っています」 - "I am rooting for your approval") or even in messages of hope after natural disasters. During Hanami, for example, it is common to see people making small prayers under the cherry trees, expressing gratitude for the fleeting beauty of the flowers.

One thing that many Japanese language students don't realize is that 祈り can also have a more solemn tone. In Shinto ceremonies, such as those that take place at Meiji Jingū in Tokyo, prayers are accompanied by specific gestures—bending slightly, clapping hands twice, and then making a silent request. If you have ever participated in something like this, you know that the atmosphere is completely different from a simple "good luck."

How to memorize and use 祈り correctly

One foolproof tip to this kanji is to associate the radical 示 with a small altar—after all, it appears in other words like 神 (god) and 祭 (festival). As for the bottom part, 斤, you can visualize it as someone kneeling (if you use a bit of imagination). Regarding the pronunciation, think of 「いのる」 as a whisper: soft, but full of intention.

To practice, how about trying to create your own sentences? Start with something simple like 「平和を祈る」 (praying for peace) or 「家族の健康を祈っています」 (I am praying for my family's health). If you enjoy writing, try tracing the kanji a few times—the brush movement in 示 looks almost like a bow, which perfectly matches its meaning.

And if one day you visit Japan, pay attention to the ema, those small wooden plaques at the temples where people write their wishes. There, 祈り comes to life in a way that no book can teach—each stroke of the kanji carrying the hopes, fears, and dreams of the person who wrote it.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 祈願 (Kigan) - Request or desire expressed in a prayer.
• 祈祷 (Kitō) - Prayer or ritual to seek a blessing or divine assistance.
• 祈願祭 (Kigansai) - Festival or ceremony dedicated to prayers and requests.
• 祈念 (Kinen) - Prayer ing a specific wish or intention.
• 祈り事 (Inorigoto) - The act of praying or the things that one seeks in prayer.
• 祈願する (Kigansuru) - Act of making a request in prayer.
• 祈る (Inoru) - Verb that means to pray in general.
• 祈願すること (Kigansuru koto) - The practice of making requests or prayers.
• 祈願祭り (Kigansai) - Variant of "祈願祭", festival of requests and prayers.
• 祈りを捧げる (Inori o sasageru) - A moment to offer a prayer.