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.
今年は厄が続いている気がする。
I feel like I've been having a run of bad luck this year.
神社で厄を払ってもらった。
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
彼は今年が前厄なので、お祓いに行くつもりだ。
Since this year is the year before his unlucky year, he plans to go for a purification ritual.
厄の年には神社でお守りを買う人が多い。
Many people buy amulets at shrines during their unlucky years.