取とり憑つかれる

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be possessed (by a spirit, demon, etc.)

Used for supernatural possession, often with 霊, 狐, 悪魔, etc. The subject is the person possessed, and the possessing entity is marked with に.

• 彼かれは悪あく霊りょうに取とり憑つかれたようだ。

  He seems to have been possessed by an evil spirit.

• 昔むかし話ばなしでは、狐きつねに取とり憑つかれると人ひとが変かわると言いわれる。

  In old tales, it is said that when a person is possessed by a fox, their personality changes.

ichidan verb, intransitive verb

be obsessed (with an idea, delusion, etc.); be possessed (by a thought)

Metaphorical extension: a person is consumed by a fixed idea, fear, or desire as if possessed. Often used with 考え, 妄想, 恐怖, etc.

• 彼かれは妙みょうな考かんがえに取とり憑つかれて、仕し事ごとが手てにつかない。

  He is obsessed with a strange idea and can't focus on his work.

• 死しの恐きょう怖ふに取とり憑つかれると、何なにも楽たのしめなくなる。

  When you are possessed by the fear of death, you can't enjoy anything.