General term for a magical spell or curse, often used in fantasy or occult contexts.
The witch cast a spell on him.
Buddhist term for a sacred incantation or mantra, often in Sanskrit.
He cast a curse on his enemy.
It is said that the curse has been passed down for generations.
The monk began to chant a long dharani.
The monk quietly chanted the mantra.
The sorcerer broke the curse for us.
真言 is the standard Buddhist term for a sacred mantra, closely matching the second, religious sense of 呪.
呪文 is the common word for the actual words chanted in a spell, while 呪 is the broader, more literary term for the spell or curse itself.
魔法 is the general everyday word for magic or sorcery, whereas 呪 specifically denotes a spell or curse, often with a darker or more ritual nuance.
spell; incantation; magic words
magic; sorcery; incantation
binding spell; spell that restricts movement
curse; malediction; hex
amulet; charm; talisman
magical power; mystical force
esoteric Buddhist ritual with incantations · magic; sorcery
charm; magical tool
curse killing; putting a deadly curse on someone
Standard kanji form for spell/curse and Buddhist mantra.
Variant kanji form; less common than 呪.
The kanji 呪 is composed of 口 (mouth) and 兄 (elder brother), originally associated with incantations or prayers. The reading じゅ is the on'yomi, likely derived from Middle Chinese. The variant 咒 is an older form.
fetish; magical object
vanquishing monsters or spirits with charms
spell; curse; incantation
mantra (Buddhist)
mystic spell; dharani
charm; incantation; spell; magic formula
incantation; spell; charm
lifting a curse; breaking a spell; disenchantment