Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of fortunetelling is most commonly expressed with the word 占い (uranai), which covers a wide range of divination practices. This guide covers how to talk about getting your fortune told, types of fortunetelling, and related expressions.
The general concept of predicting the future or revealing hidden knowledge through supernatural or mystical means.
The most common and general term for fortunetelling or divination. Can refer to the practice, the result, or the act of having one's fortune told.
Do you believe in fortunetelling?
I went to get my fortune told today.
Used in compounds to specify types of fortunetelling, such as 手相占い (palm reading) or 星座占い (horoscope).
I had my palm read.
A more formal or literary term for divination, often used in historical or academic contexts.
I am researching ancient methods of divination.
The act of visiting a fortuneteller or receiving a prediction.
I'm going to get my fortune told. · She had her fortune read yesterday.
Literally 'to have someone tell your fortune'. This is the most natural way to say you are getting a reading from a fortuneteller.
I had my friend tell my fortune.
I plan to have a fortuneteller read my fortune next time.
Literally 'to go to fortunetelling'. A common way to say you are going to see a fortuneteller.
Another way to say 'to have one's fortune told', emphasizing the act of having the fortune 'looked at'.
A person who practices fortunetelling.
The outcome or message received from fortunetelling.
Refers to one's fortune or luck, often used in the context of a fortunetelling result.
How was your fortune today?
Literally 'fortunetelling result'. A straightforward way to refer to the outcome of a reading.
I'm curious about the fortunetelling result.
A paper fortune slip obtained at Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. While not exactly 'fortunetelling' in the Western sense, it is a common form of fortune in Japan.
Specific methods or systems of divination.
Palm reading. Often combined with 占い as 手相占い.
Can you read my palm?
Horoscope or astrology. Very common in Japanese magazines and TV.
I check my daily horoscope.
Tarot card reading. Often used as タロット占い.
To tell fortunes with tarot cards.
Chinese Four Pillars of Destiny astrology. More detailed and traditional.
While 占い (uranai) is fortunetelling, 運命 (unmei) means 'fate' or 'destiny'. Saying 'I believe in fate' is 運命を信じる, not 占いを信じる.
The verb 占う (uranau) means 'to tell fortunes'. You can use it transitively: 運勢を占う (to tell one's fortune). It is often used in the passive form 占われる when you are the subject of the reading.
I'm thinking of going to get my fortune told this weekend.
When I had my fortune told, it was a good result.
To have a diviner tell your fortune (using I Ching).
When I drew my fortune slip, it was great luck.
Name-based fortunetelling, analyzing the number of strokes in kanji.
To check the fortune of a name through name divination.
I had a detailed reading done with Four Pillars astrology.