鬼になる
To say "become a demon" in Japanese, you use 鬼になる.
While the phrase can literally describe transforming into a supernatural creature, 鬼になる can be used metaphorically to describe someone becoming extremely harsh, strict or ruthless in their behavior.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone has already become a demon, use the past tense form 鬼になった. The te-form of 鬼になる is 鬼になって.
Did you know?
- In Japanese children's games like tag, the person who is 'it' is called the 鬼, effectively meaning they 'become the demon' for the duration of the round.
- During the Setsubun festival, people throw roasted soybeans while shouting Oni wa soto! to cast the 'demons' out of the house.
- The phrase 鬼になる is related to the expression 鬼に金棒, which means 'giving a club to a demon' to describe someone who is already strong becoming invincible.
Examples in context
- 彼は鬼になったようだ。It seems like he became a demon.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a coworker's intense personality.
- 結衣 Yuiあの人の性格、本当に怖いよね。ano hito no seikaku, hontou ni kowai yo ne.That person's personality is really scary, isn't it?
- 大翔 Hiroto怒ると、まるで鬼になるみたいだよ。okoru to, maru de oni ni naru mitai da yo.When he gets angry, it's like he becomes a demon.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんも、そんな風に見えることがある？hiroto-kun mo, sonna fuu ni mieru koto ga aru?Do you ever look like that too, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕はそんなに怖くないと思うよ。boku wa sonna ni kowaku nai to omou yo.I don't think I'm that scary.
