Dictionary🇯🇵 Japanese → 🇺🇸 English
Japanese to English Dictionary
鬼
oni
Description
「鬼」は、昔話や絵本によく出てくる、こわい生き物です。
"鬼" is a scary creature often appearing in old tales and picture books.
また、とてもきびしい人や、あることがとても上手な人を「鬼」と呼ぶこともあります。
Also, a very strict person or someone very skilled at something is sometimes called "鬼".
Meanings
鬼oni
ogre; demon in Japanese folklore
絵本に大きな鬼が出てきた。
A big ogre appeared in the picture book.
鬼oni
very strict or cruel person
あの先生は鬼みたいにきびしい。
That teacher is as strict as a demon.
鬼oni
"it" (the tagger in tag games)
じゃんけんで鬼を決めよう。
Let's decide who is 'it' by playing rock-paper-scissors.
Related words
Notes
- Nuance
Also used as slang prefix meaning "extremely," e.g. 鬼つよい (super strong).
- Etymology
Central to 節分 custom where people throw beans shouting 鬼は外 (demons out).
Images