神主（かんぬし、kannushi）
- Shinto priest

The word 神主 かんぬし (Kannushi) refers to a Shinto priest. 神主 perform various duties related to Shinto shrines and rituals, serving as intermediaries between the kami (deities) and the people. These duties encompass a wide array of responsibilities, including conducting religious ceremonies, maintaining the shrine, offering prayers, and providing spiritual guidance. 神主 can be male or female, and their role is crucial in upholding the traditions and spiritual practices of Shinto.

⚫︎ あの神主さんはとても穏やかです。 Translation: That Shinto priest is very gentle. ⚫︎ 神主は結婚式を執り行いました。 Translation: The Shinto priest officiated at the wedding ceremony. ⚫︎ お祭りの準備は神主の指示で行われます。 Translation: The preparation for the festival is done under the instructions of the Shinto priest.

The word 神主 is used to refer to a Shinto priest in formal and informal contexts. It is typically used when discussing religious ceremonies, shrine activities, or the role of the priest within the Shinto faith. It's a respectful term and appropriate for addressing or referring to a Shinto priest.

The word is primarily written using the kanji 神主. The reading is かんぬし (Kannushi) in hiragana. There are no significant variations in the okurigana. The kanji 神 means "god" or "spirit", and 主 means "master" or "owner."

There aren't many direct synonyms, but related terms include: ⚫︎ 宮司 (ぐうじ - Gūji): Chief priest of a Shinto shrine. ⚫︎ 禰宜 (ねぎ - Negi): A Shinto priest, often ranking below the Gūji.

There are no direct antonyms for 神主.

その神主は毎朝、神社の掃除をしています。 ・Translation: That Shinto priest cleans the shrine every morning. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the daily routine of a Shinto priest.

新しい神主が、地域の人々との交流を深めました。 ・Translation: The new Shinto priest deepened the interaction with the local people. ・Explanation: This sentence highlights the priest’s role in community engagement.

The etymology of 神主 is derived from the combination of two kanji: 神, meaning "god" or "spirit," and 主, meaning "master" or "owner." Therefore, 神主 literally means "master of the gods" or "one who serves the gods."