Translation guide
The concept of superstition in Japanese is most commonly expressed with the word 迷信 (めいしん), but there are also related terms for specific superstitious beliefs or practices.
To refer to a belief or practice based on supernatural causality rather than reason or science.
The standard word for 'superstition'. It can refer to a specific belief or the concept in general.
That's just a superstition.
Some people believe in superstitions.
A more formal or academic term for folk beliefs or popular superstitions. Often used in scholarly contexts.
This folk superstition has been passed down since ancient times.
To describe someone who is superstitious or acts based on superstitions.
An adjective meaning 'superstitious' (literally 'deep in superstition'). Used to describe a person.
She is superstitious.
Slang abbreviation of 縁起担ぎ. Common in casual speech, especially among younger people or in sports/gambling contexts.
To refer to a particular superstition, often involving luck, omens, or taboos.
Refers to luck or omen. Often used in phrases like 縁起がいい (lucky) or 縁起が悪い (unlucky).
They say it's bad luck to whistle at night.
Loanword from English 'jinx'. Refers to a specific superstition or unlucky pattern, often in sports or personal habits.
A formal term for taboo or prohibition, often rooted in superstition or tradition. Used in academic or religious contexts.
迷信 (meishin) is the general term for superstition as an irrational belief. 縁起 (engi) refers more to luck/omens and is used in everyday expressions like 縁起がいい/悪い. ジンクス (jinx) is a casual loanword for a personal or specific superstition, often in sports or games.
Many Japanese superstitions are related to numbers (4 and 9 are unlucky), actions (whistling at night), or objects (breaking a comb). Using 縁起を担ぐ or ゲン担ぎ shows familiarity with daily life superstitions.
Literally 'to carry luck', meaning to be superstitious about good/bad omens or to follow lucky practices. Very common in daily life.
He is superstitious and always wears the same socks before a game.
ゲン担ぎにカツ丼を食べる。
I eat katsudon for good luck (as a superstition).
彼には試合前にヒゲを剃らないというジンクスがある。
He has a superstition (jinx) that he doesn't shave before a match.
In this region, eating certain animals is considered taboo.