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魂魄 (こんぱく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
soul ; spirit ; ghost
Refers to the spiritual essence of a person, encompassing both the 魂 (kon, active/yang soul) and 魄 (haku, passive/yin soul) in traditional Chinese thought. Often used in literary, philosophical, or supernatural contexts.
Similar words 魂たましい 魂 is the common word for 'soul' or 'spirit' in everyday Japanese. 魂魄 is more formal, literary, and often carries the dualistic nuance of kon and haku.
霊れい 魂こん 霊魂 also means 'soul' or 'spirit', but is more neutral and less tied to the specific Chinese dualistic concept. 魂魄 emphasizes the two-part nature.
Etymology From Chinese 魂魄 (húnpò), composed of 魂 (kon, 'active soul') and 魄 (haku, 'passive soul'). The reading こんぱく is the on'yomi of the kanji.
こん
魄ぱく
は
死し
後ご
に
分わ
かれる
と
考かんが
え
られ
て
い
た
。
In ancient China, it was thought that the kon and haku separate after death.
