Translation guide
In Japanese, the concept of a 'miracle' is most commonly expressed with 奇跡 (kiseki), but the choice of word depends on the nuance: a wondrous event, a stroke of luck, or a religious miracle. This guide covers natural expressions for everyday and dramatic situations.
Describing an event that defies normal expectations, often with a sense of awe or amazement.
The standard word for 'miracle' in most contexts. Can be used for both everyday lucky events and grand, awe-inspiring phenomena.
彼が助かったのは奇跡だ。
It's a miracle that he survived.
奇跡的な回復を見せた。
He made a miraculous recovery.
A loanword from English, often used in casual or trendy contexts, product names, or to add a modern flair. Less formal than 奇跡.
ミラクルが起きた！
A miracle happened!
Expressing that something very lucky happened, often in a more down-to-earth sense than a divine miracle.
Adverbial form meaning 'miraculously' or 'by a miracle'. Used when something happens against all odds.
奇跡的に試験に合格した。
I miraculously passed the exam.
Refers to a fluke or a stroke of luck, often used when success is unexpected and not due to skill. Can be used in phrases like まぐれ当たり (a lucky hit).
あのゴールはまぐれだ。
That goal was a fluke.
Referring to an act of God or a supernatural event in a religious context.
Also used for religious miracles. The context makes the meaning clear.
イエスの奇跡は聖書に記されている。
The miracles of Jesus are recorded in the Bible.
Literally 'god's work', used for something so amazing it seems divine. Can be used figuratively for incredible human skill.
Emphasizing that someone survived or avoided disaster against all odds.
A set phrase meaning 'to have a narrow escape from death' or 'to survive a life-threatening situation'. Literally 'to gain one life from nine deaths'.
彼はその事故で九死に一生を得た。
He narrowly escaped death in that accident.
Means 'to have a close call' or 'to barely escape with one's life'. More colloquial than 九死に一生を得る.
あの地震で命拾いをした。
I barely survived that earthquake.
While ミラクル is understood, it can sound like a marketing buzzword or overly casual. In serious or formal contexts, stick to 奇跡.
不思議 (fushigi) means 'mystery' or 'wonder', not necessarily a miracle. A miracle (奇跡) is an extraordinary event, while 不思議 is something puzzling or inexplicable. For example, a magic trick is 不思議, but a miraculous recovery is 奇跡.
A proverb meaning 'a windfall' or 'unexpected luck', literally 'a botamochi (sweet) falling from a shelf'. Used for sudden good fortune.
宝くじが当たるなんて、棚からぼたもちだ。
Winning the lottery was like a gift from heaven.
その職人技は神業だ。
That craftsmanship is miraculous.