expression, noun, pronoun
my dear; my beloved
An old-fashioned, deeply affectionate term of endearment, literally 'my Buddha'. Used to address someone cherished as if they were a Buddha. Rare in modern conversation; mostly found in classical literature, poetry, or historical drama.
「我が仏、どうかお許しください」と彼は涙ながらに言った。
"My dear, please forgive me," he said tearfully.
古い和歌に「我が仏」という呼びかけがよく見られる。
The address 'my Buddha' is often seen in old waka poems.
Standard modern 'you' or 'dear'; 我が仏 is far more intimate and archaic, carrying a religiously tinged reverence.
Modern term for 'beloved person'; 我が仏 is more poetic and old-fashioned, with a Buddhist nuance.
From 我が (my) + 仏 (Buddha). The expression equates the beloved person with a Buddha, reflecting deep reverence and affection rooted in Buddhist culture. The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it appears in classical Japanese literature.