魔法の
mahō no
The English word "magical" is translated into Japanese as 魔法の (mahō no).
In specific contexts such as anime and manga culture, the term 魔法少女 is used to mean "magical girl".
Meaning: enchanting (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 魔法 (mahō), meaning 'magic' and the particle の (no), which functions as a possessive or attributive marker to link nouns.
Which one should you use?
While 魔法の is used for literal magic, such as a magic wand, the phrase 魔法のような is more common when describing something that feels 'magical' in a metaphorical or enchanting sense.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express something that is "magical-like" or "as if by magic", you can use the phrase 魔法のような.
How do you pronounce it?
mahō no
Did you know?
- The character 法 in 魔法 means 'law' or 'method', suggesting that in the Japanese worldview, magic is treated as a set of rules or a system rather than random wonder.
- The kanji for magic, 魔 (ma), originally referred to 'demons' or 'spirits' that caused confusion or illness, rather than the wondrous magic found in Western fantasy.
- The word 魔法 was not originally used for fantasy magic but was a Buddhist term for a 'magic spell' used to subdue demons.
Examples in context
- このファンタジー小説は派手な魔法のオンパレードで逆に単調だ。This fantasy book is a succession of really flashy magical spells and that makes it boring instead.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 魔法の in a sentence about fantasy literature.Tatoeba #1138428 by mookeee, translation #2674247 by WestofEden
- この本は不思議な力を持っています。This book has a mysterious power.
- 魔法の力で街が輝いている。Mahō no chikara de machi ga kagayaite iru.The city is shining with magical power.
- あの森には魔法の霧が漂っている。Ano mori ni wa mahō no kiri ga tadayotte iru.A magical mist drifts in that forest.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are looking at a beautiful night sky in a fantasy world.
- 美咲 Misakiまるで魔法の夜みたいだね。Marude mahō no yoru mitai da ne.It is just like a magical night, isn't it?
- 蓮 Ren本当に、美咲。とても綺麗だよ。Hontō ni, Misaki. Totemo kirei da yo.Truly, Misaki. It is very beautiful.
- 美咲 Misakiこの景色、ずっと見ていたいな。Kono keshiki, zutto mite itai na.I want to keep looking at this view forever.
- 蓮 Ren僕も同じ気持ちだよ。Boku mo onaji kimochi da yo.I feel the same way.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
