Translation guide
Describes someone who believes in superstitions or acts based on them. Japanese has several words and phrases, ranging from neutral to negative, and often uses descriptive expressions rather than a single noun.
Neutral or slightly negative description of someone who believes in superstitions.
Literally 'a person deep in superstition'. This is the most straightforward and common way to describe a superstitious person. It is neutral and can be used in most contexts.
彼女は迷信深い人で、毎朝必ずおみくじを引く。
She is a superstitious person and always draws a fortune slip every morning.
A more formal or literary term for a person who believes in superstitions. It can sound a bit stiff in casual conversation.
彼は迷信家として知られ、黒猫を避ける。
He is known as a superstitious person and avoids black cats.
Focuses on belief in lucky/unlucky things, fortune-telling, or omens.
Describes someone who is particular about lucky/unlucky things and often performs rituals to bring good luck or avoid bad luck. Very common in daily conversation.
縁起を担ぐ人は、引っ越しの日に方角を気にする。
A superstitious person cares about the direction on moving day.
A more casual, colloquial version of 縁起を担ぐ人. Often used among younger people or in sports contexts.
彼はゲン担ぎする人で、試合前には必ず同じ靴下を履く。
He is a superstitious person and always wears the same socks before a game.
Specifically refers to belief in fortune-telling, horoscopes, or psychic readings.
Means 'a person who likes fortune-telling'. It implies they enjoy it, possibly to a superstitious degree. Neutral and common.
占い好きな人は、毎日星座占いをチェックする。
A person who likes fortune-telling checks their horoscope every day.
Literally 'fortune-telling believer'. Slightly stronger, implying they are a devoted follower of fortune-telling, sometimes with a negative nuance.
彼女は占い信者で、何でも占いで決める。
She is a fortune-telling believer and decides everything based on fortune-telling.
Emphasizes the anxious or fearful aspect of superstition.
Means 'a person who is caught up in superstition'. It suggests they are overly influenced or even obsessed by superstitions.
迷信にとらわれている人は、些細なことでも不吉に感じる。
A person caught up in superstition feels ominous about even trivial things.
迷信深い人 is a general term for a superstitious person, while 縁起を担ぐ人 specifically refers to someone who cares about luck and omens. The latter is more about actions to bring good luck, while the former is about belief in superstitions in general.
彼は迷信深い人だが、特に縁起を担ぐわけではない。
He is a superstitious person, but he doesn't particularly care about luck.
In Japanese, it's often more natural to describe someone as 'superstitious' using an adjective phrase like 迷信深い (superstitious) rather than a noun. For example, 'He is superstitious' is 彼は迷信深い, which is more common than saying 'He is a superstitious person'.