Dictionary
English - Japanese

Soul

soʊl
Very common
~ 2200
~ 2200
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

魂 (たましい, tamashii), 心 (こころ, kokoro), 精神 (せいしん, seishin), 霊 (れい, rei), ソウル (sōru)

Soul meanings in Japanese

魂 (たましい, tamashii)

Example:
She believes that the soul lives on after death.
彼女は魂が死後も生き続けると信じています。
He poured his soul into his music.
彼は音楽に魂を込めました。
Usage: FormalContext: Philosophical or spiritual discussions, literature.
Note: This usage refers to the essence or spirit of a person, often associated with spirituality or afterlife beliefs.

心 (こころ, kokoro)

Example:
She has a kind soul.
彼女は優しい心を持っています。
He spoke from his soul.
彼は心から語りました。
Usage: InformalContext: Everyday conversations, character assessments.
Note: In this context, 'soul' is associated with emotions and character, often used to describe someone's personality.

精神 (せいしん, seishin)

Example:
He has a strong soul and never gives up.
彼は強い精神を持っていて、決して諦めません。
The soul of a nation is reflected in its culture.
国の魂はその文化に表れています。
Usage: FormalContext: Cultural discussions, psychology.
Note: This term refers to the mental or spiritual state of a person, often highlighting resilience or cultural identity.

霊 (れい, rei)

Example:
Some believe that souls can communicate with the living.
魂が生者とコミュニケーションを取ることができると信じる人もいます。
The soul departed peacefully.
魂は安らかに去りました。
Usage: FormalContext: Discussions about the afterlife, spirituality.
Note: This term is often used in the context of spirits and the supernatural, relating to the idea of souls as entities.

ソウル (sōru)

Example:
He enjoys soul music.
彼はソウルミュージックを楽しんでいます。
The restaurant has a soulful atmosphere.
そのレストランには魂のある雰囲気があります。
Usage: InformalContext: Music, culture, ambiance discussions.
Note: This is a loanword from English, often used to describe a genre of music or a deep, emotional quality in art or surroundings.

Soul's synonyms

spirit

Spirit refers to the non-physical part of a person or being, often associated with emotions, character, or consciousness.
Example: The spirit of the forest was said to protect the ancient trees.
Note: Spirit can sometimes imply a more ethereal or supernatural quality compared to soul.

essence

Essence refers to the fundamental nature or quality of something, the most important part that defines it.
Example: The essence of the poem captured the beauty of nature in a few lines.
Note: Essence focuses more on the core nature or intrinsic quality of something rather than the spiritual or immortal aspect.

being

Being refers to a living creature, especially a person.
Example: She felt a deep connection with every living being on the planet.
Note: Being is a broader term that encompasses all living entities, while soul typically refers to the spiritual or immortal essence of a person.

Soul expressions, common phrases

heart and soul

To do something with great enthusiasm and dedication.
Example: She put her heart and soul into her artwork.
Note: While 'soul' refers to the spiritual or immaterial essence of a person, 'heart and soul' emphasizes giving one's complete emotional and physical effort.

sell your soul

To sacrifice one's integrity or principles for personal gain.
Example: He sold his soul to the company in exchange for a promotion.
Note: This idiom uses 'soul' metaphorically, representing the deepest part of a person, to convey the idea of compromising deeply held beliefs or values.

soul-searching

Intense self-examination or reflection to gain insight into one's emotions and motivations.
Example: After the breakup, she spent months on soul-searching to understand her feelings.
Note: While 'soul' refers to the core of a person, 'soul-searching' emphasizes deep introspection and self-analysis for personal growth and understanding.

soulmate

A person ideally suited to another as a close friend or romantic partner.
Example: They are truly soulmates; they understand each other like no one else.
Note: In this context, 'soul' represents a deep and profound connection between individuals, emphasizing a strong bond beyond mere physical attraction or compatibility.

lose your soul

To lose one's moral compass or sense of identity by engaging in harmful or unethical behavior.
Example: He feared that pursuing wealth would cause him to lose his soul.
Note: Similar to 'sell your soul,' this idiom uses 'soul' symbolically to convey the idea of losing one's core values or inner essence.

soul food

Traditional cuisine, often associated with African American culture, that is hearty and comforting.
Example: Southern fried chicken and collard greens are classic soul food dishes.
Note: In this phrase, 'soul' refers to food that is deeply satisfying and comforting to the spirit, reflecting cultural heritage and nostalgia.

soul-crushing

Extremely disheartening or demoralizing.
Example: The constant rejection letters were soul-crushing for the aspiring writer.
Note: Using 'soul' in this context intensifies the emotional impact of the experience, emphasizing how profoundly demoralizing or devastating it is.

Soul everyday (slang) expressions

soulful

Describes something full of emotion, feeling, or depth.
Example: That singer has such a soulful voice.
Note: The original word 'soul' refers to the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being.

soul sister / soul brother

Used to describe a very close friend or companion, someone who understands and connects deeply with you.
Example: She's my soul sister; we've been best friends since childhood.
Note: While 'soul' refers to the core of a person, in this slang, it refers to a close bond or connection between friends.

soul patch

A small patch of facial hair just below the lower lip, often shaped like a small rectangle or triangle.
Example: He sports a little soul patch under his lip.
Note: In this context, 'soul patch' specifically refers to a style of facial hair, not the spiritual essence of a person.

soul-crusher

Refers to something or someone that completely destroys one's spirit, enthusiasm, or confidence.
Example: That rejection was a real soul-crusher.
Note: While 'soul' usually denotes the essence of a person, here it signifies the emotional impact of an event or person.

soul music

A genre of music that combines elements of rhythm and blues, gospel music, and jazz, known for its emotive vocals and meaningful lyrics.
Example: I love listening to classic soul music from the 60s.
Note: Although 'soul music' uses the word 'soul,' it refers to a specific musical genre and style, not the spiritual aspect of a person.

soul train

A line dance in which people dance down a row or in pairs, moving smoothly and creatively to music.
Example: The dance club turned into a soul train once the DJ started playing funky tunes.
Note: This slang term uses 'soul' in the sense of vibrant energy or groove, different from its original spiritual meaning.

keep your soul

A phrase meant to encourage someone to maintain their inner essence, integrity, and values.
Example: No matter how challenging life gets, always remember to keep your soul.
Note: In this context, 'keep your soul' emphasizes preserving personal values and integrity, not in a literal spiritual sense.

Soul - Examples

My soul feels at peace when I'm in nature.
She has a beautiful soul.
Music speaks to my soul.

Soul grammar

Soul - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: soul
Conjugations
Adjective (Adjective): soul
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): souls, soul
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): soul
Syllables, Separation and Stress
soul Contains 1 syllables: soul
Phonetic transcription: ˈsōl
soul , ˈsōl (The red syllable is stressed)

Soul - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
soul: ~ 2200 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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