厄やく

noun

misfortune; bad luck; evil; disaster

General term for misfortune, bad luck, or calamity. Often used in religious or superstitious contexts, such as warding off evil.

• 今年ことしは厄やくが続つづいている気きがする。

  I feel like I've been having a run of bad luck this year.

• 神じん社じゃで厄やくを払はらってもらった。

  I had a purification ritual done at the shrine to ward off misfortune.

noun

unlucky year; critical year

Abbreviation of 厄年 (やくどし). Refers to specific ages (e.g., 25, 42 for men; 19, 33 for women) traditionally considered unlucky. Often used in the context of 厄払い (exorcism/purification).

See also: 厄年

• 彼かれは今年ことしが前まえ厄やくなので、お祓はらいに行いくつもりだ。

  Since this year is the year before his unlucky year, he plans to go for a purification ritual.

• 厄やくの年としには神じん社じゃでお守まもりを買かう人ひとが多おおい。

  Many people buy amulets at shrines during their unlucky years.