魔術師
majutsushi[ma̠ʑɨt͡sɨɕi]
The English word 'sorcerer' is translated into Japanese as 魔術師 (majutsushi). Wiktionary also lists 魔法使い (mahō tsukai).
Meaning: magician/wizard drawing upon natural powers (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 魔術師 | majutsushi | [ma̠ʑɨt͡sɨɕi] (narrow) |
| 魔法使い | mahō tsukai | [ma̠ho̞ːt͡sɨ̥ka̠i] (narrow) |
These terms refer to a magician or wizard who draws upon natural powers. While 魔術師 is a common and straightforward way to say sorcerer, you may also encounter 魔法使い, which refers to a magic user or 魔女, which means witch and can also be used to refer to a sorcerer.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 魔法使い is composed of 魔法 (magic) and 使い (user or one who uses).
Which one should you use?
魔法使い is a more general and common term for a magic user or wizard, often used in casual conversation or fantasy settings and focuses on the act of using magic. In contrast, 魔術師 sounds more professional, technical or academic, as it emphasizes the study or practice of the specific discipline of sorcery or magic.
How do you pronounce it?
majutsushi
Did you know?
- The character 魔 (ma) is used in words for both 'magic' and 'demons', reflecting an ancient belief that sorcery was the act of controlling malevolent spirits.
- The suffix -shi in 魔術師 is the same one used for professional titles like 医師 (ishi, doctor) or 弁護士 (bengoshi, lawyer). This gives the term a sense of professional expertise or a specialized vocation.
- In Japanese storytelling, there is a sharp distinction between 魔法 (mahō) as a miracle or innate gift and 魔術 (majutsu) as a technical skill acquired through study.
Examples in context
- 彼は魔術師です。He is a sorcerer.
- 彼は伝説の魔術師です。Kare wa densetsu no majutsushi desu.He is a legendary sorcerer.
- その魔術師は自然の力を操る。Sono majutsushi wa shizen no chikara o ayatsuru.That sorcerer manipulates the forces of nature.
- 魔術師の物語を読んでいます。Majutsushi no monogatari o yonde imasu.I am reading a story about a sorcerer.
Example conversation
Two siblings are discussing a fantasy novel in the living room.
- 陽葵 Himariこの本に出てくる魔術師はすごかったよ。Kono hon ni detekuru majutsushi wa sugokatta yo.The sorcerer in this book was amazing.
- 陽太 Yotaどんな力を使えるの？Donna chikara o tsukaeru no?What kind of powers can he use?
- 陽葵 Himari風と雷を操る魔術師だよ。Kaze to kaminari o ayatsuru majutsushi da yo.He is a sorcerer who controls wind and lightning.
- 陽太 Yotaそれはかっこいいね。Sore wa kakkoii ne.That sounds cool.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sorcerer” translations and entries 魔術師, 魔法使い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
