験げん

noun

omen; luck; sign

Refers to a superstitious belief about good or bad luck, often used in the phrase ゲンをかつぐ (to be superstitious about something). Frequently written in katakana.

See also: ゲンを担ぐ

• 彼かれはゲンをかついで、試し合あいの前まえには必かならず同おなじ靴くつ下したを履はく。

  He's superstitious and always wears the same socks before a match.

• 縁えん起ぎの悪わるいことを言いうとゲンが悪わるいからやめて。

  Don't say unlucky things; it's a bad omen.

noun

efficacy; effect; spiritual power

Buddhist term for the tangible effect or power believed to result from prayers, ascetic practices, or intense training. Not used in everyday conversation.

• 長なが年ねんの修しゅ行ぎょうの験げんがあらわれた。

  The efficacy of his long years of training manifested.

• このお守まもりにはご利り益やくの験げんがあると信しんじられている。

  This amulet is believed to have the power of divine favor.