通とおり魔ま

noun

random attacker; slasher; street assailant

Refers to a person who attacks strangers at random, often in public places. Commonly used in news reports and crime contexts.

• 昨さく夜や、駅えき前まえで通とおり魔まに刺さされる事じ件けんがあった。

  Last night there was an incident where someone was stabbed by a random attacker in front of the station.

• 通とおり魔ま的てきな犯はん行こうが増ふえている。

  Random street attacks are increasing.

noun

passing demon; demon that brings misfortune to passersby

Original folkloric meaning: a demon or evil spirit that brings calamity to houses or people it passes. Now largely historical or literary.

• 通とおり魔まは、もともと道みちを通とおりかかった家いえに災わざわいをもたらす魔ま物ものを指さした。

  Originally, 通り魔 referred to a demon that brought misfortune to houses it passed by.