Translation guide
An apparition is a ghostly figure or supernatural appearance. In Japanese, the most common and natural equivalent is 幽霊 (ゆうれい), but other words exist for different nuances like phantom, spirit, or vision.
A visible manifestation of a dead person's spirit, often scary or haunting.
The standard word for a ghost or apparition of a dead person. It implies a traditional, often scary, spirit with a specific form.
I saw an apparition in the middle of the night.
Literally 'departed spirit'. Similar to 幽霊 but can sound more literary or formal. Often used for vengeful or restless spirits.
A more general, often childish or casual term for a ghost or monster. Can be used for any spooky apparition, not necessarily human.
A vision or hallucination, something that appears but may not be physically present.
A broader category of supernatural entities, not necessarily human spirits.
The act of appearing suddenly or unexpectedly, like a ghost.
Means 'appearance' or 'emergence'. Can be used for an apparition in the sense of something suddenly appearing, but it's a general word, not specifically supernatural.
幽霊 (ゆうれい) specifically refers to the spirit of a dead person, often with a tragic backstory and a specific form (white kimono, long hair). お化け (おばけ) is a broader, more casual term for any spooky thing, including monsters and shape-shifters. 妖怪 (ようかい) is a category of supernatural creatures from folklore, like kappa or tengu, not necessarily human spirits.
The direct loanword アパリション (aparishon) is not commonly used in Japanese. It might be understood in very specific contexts (like the Harry Potter spell), but it's not a natural translation for 'apparition' in general.
They say an apparition appears in this mansion.
亡霊が彼の夢に現れた。
An apparition appeared in his dream.
子どもはお化けを怖がる。
Children are scared of apparitions.
Refers to a phantom, illusion, or vision. Emphasizes the fleeting, unreal nature of the apparition. Often used poetically.
It was just an apparition.
To see an apparition in the desert.
A more formal or literary term for a phantom or vision. Often used in psychological or artistic contexts.
He was tormented by apparitions.
A general term for Japanese folkloric monsters, spirits, and demons. While not exactly 'apparition', it's often used in similar contexts for strange supernatural appearances.
Apparitions appear in this forest.
An archaic or literary term for a vengeful spirit or supernatural being that possesses or curses people. Famous from the movie 'Princess Mononoke'.
To be possessed by an apparition.
I was surprised by the apparition's appearance.