超能力者
chōnōryokusha[t͡ɕo̞ːno̞ːɾʲo̞kɯ̟̊ɕa̠]
The Japanese word for psychic is 超能力者 (chōnōryokusha).
超能力者 refers to a person who possesses, or appears to possess, extra-sensory abilities. This term is applied to individuals in both scientific contexts involving the study of ESP and within paranormal or spiritual contexts.
Meaning: person who possesses, or appears to possess, extra-sensory abilities (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 超 meaning super or ultra, 能力 meaning ability or power and the suffix 者 meaning person.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you remove the suffix 者 (person) from the word, you are left with 超能力, which is the noun used to describe the psychic ability or ESP itself.
How do you pronounce it?
chōnōryokusha
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, such as in anime or manga, a person with psychic powers is often colloquially called a エスパー (esupā), which is a loanword from the English 'esper'.
- The character 超 in 超能力者 is also used as a slang prefix in modern Japanese to mean 'super' or 'extremely', such as 超かっこいい for 'super cool'.
- The term 超能力 (chōnōryoku) was popularized in Japan during the 1970s as a way to discuss paranormal phenomena in a way that sounded more scientific and academic.
Examples in context
- トムは超能力者なんだけど、メアリーは違うよ。Tom is psychic, but Mary isn't.This sentence is useful for illustrating how to use 超能力者 when comparing the abilities of two people.Tatoeba #10100275 by small_snow, translation #6658014 by CK
- 彼は超能力者だと信じられている。Kare wa chounouryokusha da to shinjirarete iru.He is believed to be a psychic.
- その映画には超能力者が登場する。Sono eiga ni wa chounouryokusha ga toujou suru.A psychic appears in that movie.
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are talking about a movie they just watched.
- 蓮 Ren映画の主人公は超能力者だったね。Eiga no shujinkō wa chōnōryokusha datta ne.The movie's main character was a psychic, wasn't he?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、すごい能力を持っていたよね。Un, sugoi nōryoku o motte ita yo ne.Yeah, he had amazing abilities.
- 蓮 Ren蓮なら、超能力が使えそうかな？Ren nara, chōnōryoku ga tsukae sō kana?I wonder if you could use psychic powers, Ren?
- 結衣 Yuiいや、僕はただの人間だよ。Iya, boku wa tada no ningen da yo.No, I'm just a normal human.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 超能力者, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
