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Kotomora

妖

attractive, bewitching, calamity

StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 2,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • ヨウ

Kun'yomi

  • あや.しい
  • なま.めく
  • わざわ.い

Meaning

妖 centers on a dangerous, supernatural allure: something bewitchingly attractive that can also bring calamity or misfortune.

Most common words using 妖

20 of 38
  • 妖怪ようかい

    ghost; apparition; phantom; spectre; specter; demon; monster; goblin; yōkai

  • 妖精ようせい

    fairy; sprite; elf

  • 妖艶ようえん

    fascinating; voluptuous; bewitching; captivating

  • 妖しいあやしい

    mysterious; bewitching; alluring; enticing; enchanting

  • 妖魔ようま

    ghost; monster; demon; phantom; apparition

  • 妖狐ようこ

    fox with supernatural powers; fox spirit

  • 妖刀ようとう

    bewitched sword; magical sword; demon sword

  • 妖術ようじゅつ

    (black) magic; witchcraft; sorcery

  • 妖気ようき

    ominous atmosphere; ghostly air; weird air; unearthly atmosphere

  • 妖女ようじょ

    enchantress; vamp

  • 大妖たいよう

    great demon; ghostly giant

  • 妖力ようりょく

    spirit power; magical power

  • 妖姫ようき

    ghostly, beautiful woman

  • 妖婆ようば

    hag; old witch

  • 妖婦ようふ

    enchantress; seductress; vamp; siren

  • 妖怪変化ようかいへんげ

    monstrous apparition; terrifying creature; incomprehensible horror

  • 妖怪道中記ようかいどうちゅうき

    Yokai Dochuki (video game)

  • 妖氛ようふん

    ominous air; weird air; menacing atmosphere

  • 妖物ようぶつ

    ghost; apparition

  • 妖獣ようじゅう

    monster; demon; magical beast

Explore all words using 妖 →

Study

Etymology

妖 combines 女 (woman) with 夭, which likely contributes both sound and the idea of something delicate, young, or prematurely cut off, together suggesting a bewitching, calamitous feminine force.

Meaning mnemonic

A woman 女 beside 夭, which looks like a twisted, delicate sprout: imagine a dangerously attractive enchantress whose beauty brings disaster.

Reading mnemonic

For ヨウ, picture a bewitching yōkai (妖怪) spirit: yō -> ヨウ, and the woman-like spirit lures you into calamity.