Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 魔鬼 | móguǐ | /mu̯ɔ³⁵ ku̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /mɔ²⁴ kuei⁵¹/ (Mandarin, Dungan, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 邪魔 | xiémó | /ɕi̯ɛ³⁵ mu̯ɔ³⁵/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /t͡sʰɛː²¹ mɔː⁵⁵/ (Cantonese, Guangzhou, Sinological IPA, Standard Cantonese, Hong Kong) |
|
| 惡鬼 / 恶鬼 | èguǐ | ||
| 惡魔 / 恶魔 | ok-mô͘ | Hokkien | |
| 魔鬼 | mô͘-kúi | /mɔ̃²⁴⁻²² kui⁵³/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Sinological IPA, Xiamen) /mɔ̃²⁴⁻²² kui⁵⁵⁴/ (Min Nan, Hokkien, Sinological IPA, Quanzhou) |
Hokkien |
The term 魔鬼 refers to an evil creature. It is used both literally to describe supernatural beings and metaphorically to describe dangerous temptations or harmful human habits, such as impulsiveness.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 魔鬼 is composed of 魔 (mó), meaning demon or magic and 鬼 (guǐ), meaning ghost or spirit.
Which one should you use?
While 魔鬼 is the most common and general term for a devil or demon, other forms carry different nuances. 惡鬼 specifically refers to an evil ghost or a malevolent spirit, often carrying a more supernatural or ghostly connotation. 邪魔 is frequently used in a more metaphorical or abstract sense to describe 'evil forces' or 'heterodox sects' and corrupting influences. For a much lighter and milder meaning, such as 'little devil' or 'imp' used to describe mischievous children, you can use 小鬼.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Dungan, the words шэтани and йиблисы are used. In Hokkien, you can use 惡魔 / 恶魔 or 魔鬼.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation for 魔鬼 is móguǐ.
Did you know?
- The word 魔 (mó) is a phonetic loanword from the Sanskrit word 'māra', referring to the demon who tempted Gautama Buddha.
- In traditional Chinese thought, the 'devil' is often seen as a manifestation of unbalanced 'qi' or internal desire rather than a single fallen angel like the biblical Satan.
- While 魔鬼 is the standard term, Chinese folk religion often speaks of 'hungry ghosts' who are not necessarily devils but are suffering spirits who cannot eat.
Examples in context
- 這人把靈魂賣給魔鬼。The man sold his soul to the devil.This sentence uses 魔鬼 to show a person selling their soul.Tatoeba #5967631 by verdastelo9604, translation #45341 by CK
- 冲动是魔鬼。Impulsiveness is the devil.This sentence uses 魔鬼 to describe impulsiveness as a devil.Tatoeba #2615163 by fenfang557, translation #2628656 by yarrow
- 魔鬼逼我这么做的。The Devil made me do it.This sentence uses 魔鬼 to show the devil forcing an action.Tatoeba #3076569 by tommyfang95, translation #564194 by darinmex
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a scary legend in a movie.
- 志强 Zhiqiang這部電影裡的魔鬼很恐怖。Zhè bù diànyǐng lǐ de móguǐ hěn kǒngbù.The devil in this movie is very scary.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen對，我不敢看下去。Duì, wǒ bù gǎn kàn xiàqù.Yes, I don't dare to keep watching.
- 志强 Zhiqiang魔鬼的樣子看起來很陰森。Móguǐ de yàngzi kàn qǐlái hěn yīnsēn.The devil's appearance looks very eerie.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen志强，我們換一部吧。Zhìqiáng, wǒmen huàn yī bù ba.Zhiqiang, let's switch to another one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries 魔鬼, 邪魔, 魔鬼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
