神ってる

• Reading: かみってる
• Romaji: kamitteru
• Kanji breakdown: 神 (god) + ってる (casual progressive form) → being in a godlike state
• Pronunciation: /ka.mit.te.ru/

Meaning

On a godlike streak — someone performing so miraculously well it seems divine.

Coined by turning 神 (god) into a verb with the progressive ってる form. Gained massive visibility when it won Japan's buzzword of the year in 2016, originally used to describe Hiroshima Carp player Suzuki Seiya's incredible batting streak. Now used broadly for anyone on a hot streak or producing superhuman-quality work in any field.

Examples

1. 今日の試合、あの選手神ってたよね。 That player was totally on a godlike streak during today's game, right?
2. この編集、神ってるわ。 This editing is absolutely godlike.
3. 3連続ホームランとか神ってる。 Three home runs in a row — that's straight-up divine.

Usage Guide

Context: friends, social media, sports, gaming

Tone: awestruck, admiring

Do Say

• 最近の調子、神ってるね。 (You've been on a godlike streak lately.)
• このプレー神ってない？ (Isn't this play absolutely godlike?)

Don't Say

• ビジネスの場で「神ってる」はカジュアルすぎる (Using 'kamitteru' in a business setting is too casual — use 素晴らしい or 見事)

Common Mistakes

• Overusing 神ってる for ordinary achievements — it should be reserved for truly exceptional, streak-like performance

Origin & History

Popularised in 2016 when baseball manager Ogata Koichi used it to describe Hiroshima Carp outfielder Suzuki Seiya's clutch hitting. Won the 2016 Buzzword of the Year award (新語・流行語大賞), cementing it in mainstream vocabulary.

Cultural Context

Era: 2016 Buzzword of the Year

Generation: All ages (mainstream since 2016)

Social background: Universal informal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Originated in baseball commentary but now applies to any field.