魔王
maō
To say demon king in Japanese, use 魔王 (maō).
魔王 is a common figure in Japanese fantasy anime, manga and video games, where it names the final enemy of the story.
What does it mean word for word?
魔 (ma) means magic or demon and 王 (ō) means king.
Which one should you use?
Maou-sama adds a respectful title, giving something like Honorable Demon King. Makai no Ou-sama means King of the Demon World.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized maō, with a long o at the end.
Did you know?
- While 魔王 is a fantasy staple today, the term was historically used in Buddhist texts to describe Mara, the celestial demon who tempted Siddhartha Gautama during his meditation under the Bodhi tree.
- In certain Japanese subcultures, the phrase is used playfully to describe someone who is an absolute master or 'king' of a specific, difficult hobby or niche subject.
- Unlike English, where 'demon' usually implies a fallen angel or a hell-dweller, the 魔 in 魔王 can refer to any supernatural entity that disrupts the mind or spirit, regardless of its origin.
Examples in context
- このゲームの魔王はとても強い。Kono gēmu no maō wa totemo tsuyoi.The demon king in this game is very strong.
- 伝説では、魔王が城に住んでいる。Densetsu de wa, maō ga shiro ni sunde iru.In the legend, the demon king lives in a castle.
- 物語の最後で魔王を倒した。Monogatari no saigo de maō o taoshita.I defeated the demon king at the end of the story.
Example conversation
Himari and Kenta are discussing a fantasy novel they are both reading.
- 健太 Kentaこの本の魔王はかっこいいですね。Kono hon no maō wa kakkoii desu ne.The demon king in this book is cool, isn't he?
- 陽葵 Himariそうですね。でも、とても残酷です。Sō desu ne. Demo, totemo zankoku desu.I agree. But he is very cruel.
- 健太 Kenta主人公は魔王に勝てるでしょうか。Shujinkō wa maō ni kateru deshō ka.I wonder if the protagonist can beat the demon king.
- 陽葵 Himariきっと勝てると思いますよ。Kitto kateru to omoimasu yo.I'm sure he can win.
