悪魔
akuma[a̠kɯ̟ma̠]
In Japanese, the English word 'devil' is translated as 悪魔 (akuma). Wiktionary also lists 鬼 (oni) and 悪鬼 (akki).
Meaning: evil creature (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 悪魔 | akuma | [a̠kɯ̟ma̠] (narrow) |
| 鬼 | oni | [o̞ɲ̟i] (narrow) |
| 悪鬼 | akki |
The term 悪魔 is used to refer to a generic evil creature or a Western-style devil. A related term, 小悪魔, literally means 'little devil' and is a common way to describe a person, typically a woman, who is flirtatiously mischievous or seductive. When specifically referring to the biblical figure Satan, the loanword サタン is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 悪魔 (akuma) is composed of the kanji 悪 (evil) and 魔 (demon, magic or spirit).
Which one should you use?
悪魔 (akuma) refers to a generic or Western-style devil or demon. In contrast, 鬼 (oni) refers to a traditional Japanese ogre or demon, which is often depicted with horns. 悪鬼 (akki) is another form used for an evil demon.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
akuma
Did you know?
- During the Setsubun festival, people throw roasted soybeans while shouting 'Demons out, luck in' to drive away 鬼.
- While 悪魔 is an evil creature, 鬼 are not always malicious and can sometimes act as guardians or protectors in Japanese folklore.
- The term 鬼 might be etymologically linked to the concept of being 'hidden' from sight, suggesting these creatures were once thought to be invisible spirits.
Examples in context
- 悪魔がやってくるかもしれないよ。The Devil may come.Tatoeba #191374 by small_snow, translation #28536 by anjin
- 彼女は小悪魔なんだ。She's a little devil.The sentence shows how 悪魔 can be used to describe someone's flirtatious personality.Tatoeba #1331215 by Scott, translation #5260111 by Blurk
- 来年事を言えば鬼が笑う。Speak of the next year, and the devil will laugh.The sentence demonstrates the use of 鬼 in a Japanese idiom.Tatoeba #370880 by reiji, translation #416839 by blay_paul
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a horror movie they just watched.
- 陽太 Yotaあの映画の悪魔は怖かったね。Ano eiga no akuma wa kowakatta ne.The devil in that movie was scary, wasn't it?
- 美咲 Misaki本当に、悪魔の見た目が不気味だった。Hontou ni, akuma no mitame ga bukimi datta.Really, the devil's appearance was creepy.
- 陽太 Yota美咲は怖くないの？Misaki wa kowakunai no?Aren't you scared, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misaki少し怖かったけど、大丈夫よ。Sukoshi kowakatta kedo, daijoubu yo.I was a little scared, but I'm okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “devil” translations and entries 悪魔, 鬼, 悪鬼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 悪魔, 鬼, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
