呪い

Japanese

Etymology 1

Kanji in this term
呪
のろ Grade: S
kun'yomi

The 連用形 (ren'yōkei, “continuative or stem form”) of verb 呪う (norou, “to curse someone or something”).

Alternative forms

• 詛い, (rare) 咒い

Noun

1. a curse (supernatural detriment)
2. a spell (evil magic)

Synonyms

• 呪詛(じゅそ) (juso)

Etymology 2

Kanji in this term
呪
まじな Grade: S
kun'yomi

The 連用形 (ren'yōkei, “continuative or stem form”) of verb 呪う (majinau, “to use a charm, to use magic”).

Alternative forms

• まじない, (rare) 咒い

Noun

呪(まじな)い • (majinai) ^{←まじなひ (mazinafi)?}

1. incantation, magic spell
2. deception, manipulation of someone

Usage notes

• The kanji spelling 呪い is more commonly read as noroi (“curse”) in modern Japanese. Consequently, the majinai reading is more commonly spelled in kana.
• But when with the honorific prefix お, お呪い is always read as おまじない

Derived terms

Derived terms

• 御呪(おまじな)い (omajinai): good luck charm

See also

• 魔法(まほう) (mahō): magic