Translation guide
Describes something supernatural, strange, or not of this world. In Japanese, this is expressed through words for mysterious, eerie, divine, or otherworldly qualities, depending on the nuance.
Describing something eerie, ghostly, or seemingly not of this world, often with a spooky or mysterious feel.
An unearthly silence hung over the ruins.
Means 'strange' or 'bizarre' in a way that feels abnormal or unsettling, often used for appearances or atmospheres.
An unearthly light appeared in the sky.
Refers to the mysterious and bizarre, often used in horror or supernatural contexts. More literary.
Unearthly phenomena were reported.
Describing something so beautiful, pure, or sublime that it seems not of this world, often in a positive, spiritual sense.
A common phrase meaning 'doesn't seem of this world', used for both positive (divine beauty) and negative (eerie) contexts.
Her singing voice was unearthly beautiful.
Literally 'heavenly', used for things that seem to belong to a higher realm. Often in literary or poetic contexts.
A melody like unearthly music.
Describing an hour that is unreasonably early or late, as in 'an unearthly hour'.
Means 'outrageous hour', commonly used for very early or late times. Natural in conversation.
He called at an unearthly hour.
Literally 'unreasonable hour', emphasizing the lack of common sense. Slightly more formal.
Means 'middle of the night'. Not a direct translation, but often used when 'unearthly hour' implies very late at night.
Avoid directly translating 'unearthly' as 地球外の (chikyūgai no, extraterrestrial) unless you specifically mean aliens or outer space. For supernatural or eerie nuances, use words like 不気味 or 異様.
Means 'divine' or 'sublime', implying a sacred, awe-inspiring beauty or presence.
It was an unearthly, divine landscape.
Please don't visit at unearthly hours.
真夜中に目が覚めた。
I woke up at an unearthly hour.