How to Say "Magic" in Japanese

魔法

mahō[ma̠ho̞ː]

The Japanese word for magic is 魔法 (mahō).

魔法 refers to magic or the supernatural. To use the word as an adjective, such as when describing a 'magical' moment, you should use the form 魔法のような.

Meaning: illusion performed to give the appearance of magic or the supernatural (noun)

How does it change in a sentence?

You can create the word for a wizard or magician by adding 使い (meaning 'user') to 魔法, resulting in 魔法使い.

mahō

While 魔法 describes supernatural powers, Japanese speakers use the loanword マジック (majikku) specifically for stage magic and sleight of hand.
The word 魔法 contains the character for 'law' or 'method', suggesting that magic is viewed as a systematic way of manipulating the world rather than just a random miracle.
The phrase 魔法にかかる literally means 'to be put under a spell', but it is commonly used to describe being completely enchanted or infatuated with someone.

魔法みたいね。
It's like magic.
This sentence shows how to say something is like 魔法.
Tatoeba #12957331 by small_snow, translation #2460904 by Hybrid
あなたは魔法使いなの？
Do you use magic?
This sentence asks if someone is a user of 魔法.
Tatoeba #8723030 by bunbuku, translation #10495919 by DJ_Saidez
これって、魔法みたい。
This is like magic.
This sentence is another way to express that something is like 魔法.
Tatoeba #10472571 by small_snow, translation #5756827 by CM
あのマジシャンは魔術を使う
That magician uses magic.
彼女は法術を使って敵を倒した
She defeated her enemy using magic spells.
彼は魔法が使える
He can use magic.
あのマジシャンは奇術を披露した
That magician showcased some magic tricks.
彼は魔術師として知られていますが、実は魔法も使えるんです。
He is known as a magician, but he can also use magic.
友達と一緒に奇術ショーを見に行きたい！
I want to go see a magic show with my friends!
9 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiroto and Himari are watching a street performer.

Sources

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