Translation guide
The worship of idols or excessive admiration for someone or something. In Japanese, the concept is expressed through specific terms for religious idol worship and metaphorical expressions for extreme devotion.
To refer to the practice of worshipping idols or images as gods, especially in a religious context.
To describe an extreme, often uncritical, admiration for a person, idea, or thing, likened to worship.
偶像崇拝 is strictly religious, while 偶像化 is metaphorical and used for excessive admiration of celebrities, leaders, or concepts. Using 偶像崇拝 for non-religious contexts can sound overly dramatic or theological.
The standard term for idol worship in a religious sense. It directly translates to 'idol worship' and is used in theological or academic contexts.
偶像崇拝は多くの宗教で禁じられている。
Idolatry is forbidden in many religions.
A less common variant meaning 'idol worship', often used in Christian contexts. It emphasizes the act of worshipping idols.
聖書は偶像礼拝を戒めている。
The Bible warns against idolatry.
Literally 'idolization', this term is used metaphorically to describe treating someone or something as an idol. It implies excessive admiration.
彼のファンは彼を偶像化している。
His fans idolize him.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'affection akin to worship'. It conveys the idea of idolatry in a non-religious sense, often used in literary or psychological contexts.
彼女はその歌手に崇拝にも似た愛情を抱いている。
She harbors an affection for that singer that borders on idolatry.
Means 'blind worship'. It emphasizes the uncritical nature of the devotion, often used in critical or analytical writing.
その政治家に対する盲目的崇拝は危険だ。
Blind idolatry toward that politician is dangerous.