Translation guide
The practice of predicting the future or revealing hidden knowledge through various methods. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 占い (uranai). Different methods have specific names, and the context (casual, formal, traditional) influences word choice.
The broad concept of fortune-telling as a practice or service.
The most common and general term for fortune-telling. Can refer to the act, the result, or the profession.
She loves fortune-telling.
Used in compound words to specify the method, e.g., 手相占い (palm reading), 星占い (astrology).
A formal, literary term for divination or augury, often used in historical or academic contexts.
A person who tells fortunes.
The action of predicting someone's future.
The outcome or prediction itself, often in daily horoscopes or omikuji.
Common types of fortune-telling.
Palm reading. Often used with 占い or verbs like 見る.
占い (uranai) is the act or practice of fortune-telling. 運命 (unmei) means 'fate' or 'destiny' itself, not the act of predicting it.
Learn your fate through fortune-telling.
It's common to talk about TV horoscopes or casual fortune-telling with friends. 占い can be a fun topic, but be aware that some people may take it seriously.
I don't believe in fortune-telling.
I plan to go get my fortune told today.
手相占いをしてもらった。
I had my palm read.
I am researching ancient methods of divination.
Standard term for a professional fortune-teller.
That fortune-teller is said to be very accurate.
Specifically a diviner using the I Ching (易経). Often associated with street fortune-tellers.
I had my fortune told by a street diviner.
Transitive verb meaning 'to tell someone's fortune' or 'to divine'. The object is the person or the matter.
I told my friend's fortune.
I tell love fortunes with tarot cards.
Phrase meaning 'to have one's fortune told'. The subject receives the fortune-telling.
Yesterday I had my palm read.
Colloquial way to say 'have my fortune told', literally 'have (someone) look at (my fortune)'. Often used with specific methods.
I'm going to go have my palm read soon.
Refers to one's fortune or luck as predicted, commonly seen in horoscopes and omikuji (fortune slips).
What's your fortune for today?
I got a great blessing fortune on my omikuji.
Literally 'fortune-telling result', a straightforward term.
Do you believe in fortune-telling results?
Your palm lines are complex.
Astrology, horoscope. Often based on zodiac signs.
According to my horoscope, today's luck is good.
Tarot card reading.
Predict the future with tarot reading.
I Ching divination. Often used in the compound 易占い (eki uranai).
I divined today's fortune using the I Ching.
Blood type fortune-telling, a popular personality/fortune method in Japan.
Do you think blood type fortune-telling is accurate?
She went to a fortune-teller to ask about her marriage.