神域(しんいき)

しんいき
noun
sacred precinct; holy ground; divine realm
religiongeography
1. sacred precinct; holy ground
The grounds of a shrine or temple that are considered sacred and sanctified.
ここから先(さき)は神域(しんいき)だ。
From here on is sacred ground.
鳥居(とりい)をくぐると神域(しんいき)に入(はい)る。
When you pass through the torii gate, you enter the sacred precinct.
伊勢神宮(いせじんぐう)の神域(しんいき)は広大(こうだい)な森(もり)に囲(かこ)まれ、厳(おごそ)かな雰囲気(ふんいき)が漂(ただよ)っている。
The sacred precinct of Ise Grand Shrine is surrounded by vast forests, with a solemn atmosphere in the air.
2. godlike level; untouchable realm
A figurative use describing a level of skill, achievement, or quality so extraordinary that it seems beyond human ability.
あの選手(せんしゅ)の技術(ぎじゅつ)は神域(しんいき)だ。
That athlete's skill is on a godlike level.
彼(かれ)のピアノの演奏(えんそう)は神域(しんいき)に達(たっ)している。
His piano playing has reached a divine level.
長年(ながねん)の修行(しゅぎょう)を経(へ)て、その職人(しょくにん)の技(わざ)はもはや神域(しんいき)と呼(よ)ぶにふさわしいものとなった。
After years of training, that craftsman's skill has become worthy of being called divine.

A compound of 神(しん) (god, deity) and 域(いき) (area, realm). In its original sense, it refers to the physical sacred grounds of a Shinto shrine, marked by 鳥居(とりい) (torii gates) or 注連縄(しめなわ) (sacred ropes).

The figurative sense has become very popular, especially in sports, entertainment, and internet culture, to describe something of superhuman quality. It is often used with 達(たっ)する (to reach) or on its own as a predicate.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 境内(けいだい): temple/shrine grounds — the physical area within a religious compound
  • 聖地(せいち): holy land, sacred place — broader term for any place considered holy
  • 神(かみ): god — the figurative slang use ("godly") for something extraordinary

Related Words

Compare: 境内(けいだい) (temple/shrine grounds)
Compare: 聖地(せいち) (holy land, sacred place)
general
Added 2026.4.26 21:40 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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