Translation and Meaning of: 天 - amatsu
The Japanese word 天[あまつ] carries a historical and cultural weight that goes beyond the simple meaning of "celestial" or "imperial." If you have ever wondered about the origin of this term, how it is used in everyday life, or even how to memorize it efficiently, this article is for you. Here, we will explore the etymology, the pictogram, and curiosities about this expression that appears in religious, mythological, and even formal language contexts. And if you use Anki or another spaced repetition method, you will love the practical tips we have gathered.
In the largest Japanese dictionary, Suki Nihongo, you will find not only the precise translation of 天[あまつ], but also examples of sentences and the correct writing of the kanji. But why is this word so special? It is linked to divine concepts and Japanese royalty, appearing in ancient texts and even in the names of sacred places. If you have come across it in mangas, animes, or even in historical documents, you know there is something mystical behind these characters.
Origin and etymology of 天[あまつ]
The root of 天[あまつ] dates back to ancient Japan, where it was used to refer to the "sky" not just as a physical space, but as a divine realm. The kanji 天, by itself, already evokes the idea of something superior, and when combined with the reading あまつ, it takes on an even more solemn tone. This form of reading is a classic example of kotodama, the belief that words carry spiritual power.
It's interesting to note that while 天 alone can be read as "ten" (as in "tenki" - weather), the reading あまつ is reserved for specific contexts, often related to the imperial family or Shinto deities. You may have heard of Ama-no-Iwato, the celestial cave of Japanese mythology – do you see how the prefix "ama" appears here? It's not a coincidence.
Modern usage and cultural connections
Nowadays, 天[あまつ] is not a word you will hear at the supermarket, but it persists in honorific titles, names of temples, and even in poetic expressions. For example, "amatsukami" (celestial gods) is a term that still appears in religious festivals. If you visit Kyoto, you will find shrines where this archaic language is preserved almost like a national treasure.
A common prank among students is to confuse 天[あまつ] with similar words like 雨 (ame - rain). An infallible tip? Think that the "sky" in 天 has a wide horizontal stroke, as if it embraces everything underneath – while "rain" flows along the vertical strokes. This mental image helps to differentiate them when writing. And if you enjoy puns, how about remembering that "ama" in あまつ sounds like "ama" (mother) in Portuguese? The mother of all skies!
Tips for memorization and popular searches
Those who search for 天[あまつ] on Google usually want to know three things: how it is written, the difference from other readings of 天, and in which contexts it appears. An effective way to reinforce the term is to associate it with striking images – I personally remember it thinking of the golden ceiling of Ise Shrine, which seems to touch the sky. Apps like Anki work well with cards that show the kanji on one side and a photo of a temple or ancient painting on the other.
Interestingly, this word rarely appears alone in contemporary Japanese – it almost always comes accompanied, either in compounds like 天津 (amatsu - "celestial port", an ancient name for sacred regions) or in titles like 天照 (Amaterasu, the sun goddess). This explains why many searches include these combinations. If you want to impress a Japanese teacher, drop an "amatsukami" in the next class and see the reaction!
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 天空 (Tenkū) - Sky (usually used to describe the sky in a broad context)
- 天上 (Tenjō) - Above the sky (often associated with celestial places)
- 天穹 (Tenkyū) - Celestial arc (refers to the vault of the sky)
- 天堂 (Tendō) - Paradise (a place of eternal happiness)
- 天国 (Tengoku) - Kingdom of Heaven (similar to paradise, but can be interpreted in a more religious context)
- 天神 (Tenshin) - Gods of the sky (deities that inhabit the sky)
- 天皇 (Tennō) - Emperor of Japan (title of the Japanese monarch)
- 天道 (Tendō) - Celestial path (concept of a moral or irresistible order of the universe)
- 天候 (Tenko) - Weather (refers to atmospheric conditions)
- 天候予報 (Tenko Yobō) - Weather forecast (information about future weather conditions)
Related words
tenka
the world; All country; offspring of heaven; having your own way; the public; the ruling power
Romaji: amatsu
Kana: あまつ
Type: noun
L: -
Translation / Meaning: heavenly; imperial
Meaning in English: heavenly;imperial
Definition: A kanji that means sky or space.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (天) amatsu
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (天) amatsu:
Example Sentences - (天) amatsu
See below some example sentences:
Ashita no tenki yohou wo kakunin shimashita
I checked the weather forecast for tomorrow.
I checked the weather forecast for tomorrow.
- 明日の - tomorrow
- 天気 - time
- 予報 - forecast
- を - object particle
- 確認 - confirmation
- しました - made
Inki na tenki ga tsuzuite imasu
The mood is somber and melancholy.
The gloomy mood continues.
- 陰気な - adjective meaning "gloomy" or "melancholic"
- 天気 - noun meaning "weather" or "climate"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 続いています - verb meaning "continue" in the present tense and polite form
Amten no hi wa kasa wo motte dekakeru no ga taisetsu desu
Em dias chuvosos
It is important to go out with an umbrella on rainy days.
- 雨天の日 - rainy day
- は - Topic particle
- 傘を持って - holding an umbrella
- 出かける - go out
- のが - nominal particle
- 大切です - is important
Utsuodashii tenki desu ne
The weather is so boring.
It's irritating weather.
- 鬱陶しい - Japanese word meaning "depressing", "boring" or "annoying".
- 天気 - Japanese word meaning "time" or "climate".
- です - Japanese word that indicates the verb "to be" in the present tense.
- ね - Japanese particle that indicates a rhetorical question or confirmation.
Tenka wo toru
Conquer the world.
take the world
- 天下 - means "the world" or "the whole nation"
- を - object particle
- 取る - means "to take", "to conquer" or "to win"
Sugoi tensai ga iru
There is incredible genius here.
There is a great genius.
- 凄い - Incredible, impressive
- 天才 - genius
- が - subject particle
- いる - exist, be present
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's nice weather today, isn't that it.
- 今日 - today
- は - Topic particle
- いい - good
- 天気 - time weather
- です - verb to be in the polite form
- ね - confirmation or agreement-seeking particle
Fujun na tenki ga tsuzuite imasu
The weather is unstable.
The erratic weather continues.
- 不順な - adjective meaning "irregular"
- 天気 - noun meaning "weather" or "climate"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 続いています - verb meaning "continue" in the present and polite form
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's nice weather today, isn't that it.
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- いい (ii) - good
- 天気 (tenki) - time weather
- です (desu) - Verb to be
- ね (ne) - confirmation particle
Kyou wa ii tenki desu ne
Today is a good time
It's good weather today.
- 今日 (kyou) - today
- は (wa) - Topic particle
- 良い (yoi) - good
- 天気 (tenki) - time weather
- です (desu) - verb to be (educated)
- ね (ne) - confirmation particle