demon; devil; evil spirit; evil influence
Refers to supernatural evil beings or a malign force. Often used in compounds and set phrases.
He told a lie as if possessed by an evil spirit.
He suddenly went berserk as if possessed by an evil spirit.
I bought a charm to ward off evil spirits.
He is a real workaholic.
Beware of peeping toms.
There is a place called the treacherous waters.
I avoid going out during the dreaded hours.
He was arrested as a serial arsonist.
This road has so many accidents that it's called 'the cursed road.'
Late-night highways are said to be a dreaded time for accidents.
鬼 is a concrete ogre-like demon from Japanese folklore with a fixed appearance, while 魔 is a vaguer, more abstract evil spirit or force.
magic; sorcery; spell
hindrance; obstacle; nuisance; disturbance; interruption; interference · visit (someone's home) · demon who hinders Buddhist training
devil; demon; fiend · Satan; the Devil · Māra; evil forces hindering enlightenment
witch; sorceress
magic; sorcery; witchcraft · magic tricks (large-scale)
magical power; supernatural power; spell; charm
demon; monster; evil spirit
demon world; realm of demons
devil; evil spirit; genie
Standard kanji spelling for all senses.
The kanji 魔 is a phono-semantic compound, with 鬼 (demon) as the semantic component and 麻 (hemp) as the phonetic. The reading ま is the on'yomi. The word has been used in Japanese for centuries to refer to evil spirits and influences, and later extended to obsessive behavior.
demon-infested place; haunted area · ominous place; mysterious unfrequented area · den of iniquity; hotbed of vice
heresy; evil ways; path of evil · sorcery; black magic · netherworld; realm of evil spirits
devilish; diabolical; bewitching
hindrance; intrusion; disturbance
random attacker; slasher; street assailant · passing demon; demon that brings misfortune to passersby
ghost; monster; demon; phantom; apparition
sleepiness; drowsiness · the sandman; Morpheus
one's last moments; death throes; hour of death
incubus; succubus; dream demon
exorcism
heavenly demon; Māra
heavy snowfall; white devil
demon of ill health; disease
den of vice; rogue's den · brothel; red-light district · cluttered room; messy den
nightmare · incubus; succubus; dream demon
miracle ball; magic ball
charm against evil; talisman; amulet
conquering the devil; subduing demons
evil influence; clutches of evil
den of demons; hotbed of corruption; pandemonium
sex maniac; seducer; libertine