魔神

Japanese

Etymology 1

Kanji in this term
魔	神
ま Grade: S	じん Grade: 3
on'yomi

Alternative spelling
魔神 (kyūjitai)

From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle Chinese 魔神 (*mɑ? *jhin, literally “demon, evil spirit” + “god, spirit”). Compare modern (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Mandarin 魔神 (móshén).

The goon reading, so likely the reading as originally imported from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle Chinese.

Noun

魔(ま)神(じん) • (majin) 

1. a malevolent deity that causes misfortune and disaster
2. an evil spirit

Usage notes

The mashin reading appears to be less common than the majin reading.

Synonyms

• (evil spirit): 悪魔(あくま) (akuma)

Etymology 2

Kanji in this term
魔	神
ま Grade: S	しん Grade: 3
on'yomi

Alternative spelling
魔神 (kyūjitai)

Shift in pronunciation from majin, using the kan'on reading of shin for 神.

/mad͡ʑin/ → /maɕin/

A mixed goon-kan'on reading reading, so likely a later development after borrowing.

Noun

魔(ま)神(しん) • (mashin) 

1. a malevolent deity that causes misfortune and disaster
2. an evil spirit

Usage notes

The mashin reading appears to be less common than the majin reading.

Synonyms

• (evil spirit): 悪魔(あくま) (akuma)