Translation guide
A Buddhist term referring to the three lower realms of existence into which one can be reborn based on karma: the hell realm, the realm of hungry ghosts, and the realm of animals. In English, this is often glossed as 'three evil worlds' or 'three evil paths', sometimes with 'hell' added for clarity.
The three lower realms of rebirth: hell beings, hungry ghosts, and animals.
Standard Buddhist term for the three evil paths or realms. Literally 'three evil ways'.
Listing or referring to the three realms by name.
The three realms: hell, hungry ghosts, and animals. Often used in explanations.
三悪道とは地獄・餓鬼・畜生のことです。
The three evil realms are hell, hungry ghosts, and animals.
This is a technical Buddhist term. In casual conversation, Japanese speakers would not typically say 'three evil worlds hell'. Use only in religious or academic contexts.
If you encounter 'three evil worlds hell' in English, it is likely a translation of 三悪道 or a related term. The word 'hell' may be added in English to clarify the nature of the realms, but in Japanese, 地獄 (hell) is just one of the three.
三悪道に落ちる。
Fall into the three evil realms.
Alternate term, often used in more formal or scriptural contexts. '趣' implies a destination or state of existence.
三悪趣を離れる。
Leave the three evil destinies.
Abbreviation sometimes used, especially in older texts. Can also refer to the three rivers of the underworld.
三途の川
The River of Three Crossings (a related concept in Japanese folk Buddhism)
Full names with '道' (path/realm) suffix.
地獄道、餓鬼道、畜生道を三悪道という。
The hell realm, hungry ghost realm, and animal realm are called the three evil paths.