鬼子
onigo
The English phrase "demon child" is translated into Japanese as 鬼子 (onigo).
Historically, this term was used as a derogatory slur for children born to foreign mothers or children of mixed-race parentage. In modern Japanese, it carries a strong derogatory connotation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 鬼子 is highly offensive.
How do you pronounce it?
onigo
Did you know?
- While 鬼子 is offensive, the word oni is also used in the phrase oni-gokko, which is the Japanese name for the game of tag where one person is 'it'.
- While 'oni' refers to a supernatural being, in modern slang, people sometimes use the prefix 'oni-' to mean 'extremely' or 'super', such as in the phrase 'oni-hayai' meaning 'super fast'.
- The word oni in 鬼子 is a complex cultural concept that does not always mean 'demon' in the Western sense, as it can refer to ogres, trolls or even the spirits of the deceased.
Examples in context
- 彼は悪魔の子だと言われています。He is said to be a demon child.
- あの子は鬼子みたいな悪さをするよ。That child behaves mischievously like a demon child.
- その伝説では、鬼子が生まれると言われている。Sono densetsu de wa, onigo ga umareru to iwarete iru.In that legend, it is said that a demon child is born.
- 村の人々は、鬼子を恐れて避けている。Mura no hitobito wa, onigo o osorete sakete iru.The villagers fear and avoid the demon child.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a folklore book at a cafe.
- 大翔 Hirotoこの本には鬼子の話が載っているよ。Kono hon ni wa onigo no hanashi ga notte iru yo.A story about a demon child is in this book.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に、その鬼子は恐ろしい存在なの？Hontou ni, sono onigo wa osoroshii sonzai nano?Is that demon child really a terrifying existence?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、とても不吉なものとして描かれている。Un, totemo fukitsu na mono to shite egakarete iru.Yes, it is depicted as a very ominous thing.
- 美咲 Misaki少し怖い話だけど、興味深いわね。Sukoshi kowai hanashi dakedo, kyoumibukai wa ne.It is a bit of a scary story, but it is interesting.
