Translation guide
How to express that someone is possessed by a spirit, demon, or supernatural force in Japanese.
To say that a person is under the control of a supernatural entity, often in a religious or folkloric context.
The most common and natural way to say someone is possessed. Uses the verb 憑く (つく) in its passive form.
He is possessed by an evil spirit.
She seems to be possessed by something.
A more emphatic version, often used for stronger or more complete possession. 取り憑く means 'to take possession of'.
He is possessed by a fox spirit.
A more technical or formal term, often used in psychology, parapsychology, or academic contexts. 憑依 means 'possession' as a phenomenon.
The medium is possessed by a spirit.
To express that someone is figuratively 'possessed' by a strong desire, idea, or feeling, not literally by a spirit.
Used adverbially to mean 'as if possessed', describing someone acting obsessively or compulsively.
He works as if possessed.
She kept writing the novel as if possessed.
Can be used figuratively with abstract nouns like 'idea' or 'desire'. Less common than the literal use but still natural.
Similar to above but stronger, often implying a destructive obsession.
Do not use 所有されている (しょゆうされている), which means 'to be owned' (as property). That is not used for spiritual possession.
憑く (つく) is the basic verb for a spirit attaching itself to someone. 取り憑く (とりつく) adds a nuance of 'taking hold of' and implies a stronger, more invasive possession. In many contexts they are interchangeable, but 取り憑く is slightly more intense.
He is possessed by an idea.
He is possessed by a desire for revenge.