亡霊
bōrei[bo̞ːɾe̞ː]
The English phrase 'specter' can be translated into Japanese as 亡霊 (bōrei). Wiktionary also lists 幽霊 (yūrei).
Meaning: ghostly apparition (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 亡霊 | bōrei | [bo̞ːɾe̞ː] (narrow) |
| 幽霊 | yūrei | [jɯ̟ːɾe̞ː] (narrow) |
亡霊 is used to describe a ghostly apparition. It is frequently used metaphorically to describe the 'specter' of a past event, such as the 'specter of war' or the 'specter of a former regime'.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 亡霊 is composed of the characters for 'deceased' (亡) and 'spirit/soul' (霊).
Which one should you use?
幽霊 (yūrei) is the most common word for a ghost and often implies a more traditional, supernatural entity, whereas 亡霊 (bōrei) carries a heavier, more ominous connotation of a 'specter' or a 'wraith' that haunts a person or a place.
How do you pronounce it?
bōrei
Did you know?
- The term 幽霊 is often associated in Japanese pop culture with specific imagery, such as ghosts wearing white kimonos and having no feet, which differs from the Western 'specter' imagery.
- The word 幽霊 (yūrei) contains the character for 'dark' or 'hidden' (幽), suggesting that a ghost is an entity that dwells in the shadows or the unseen world.
- While 幽霊 is a general term, 亡霊 specifically implies a spirit trapped by a 'shūnen' or a strong, lingering obsession that prevents it from passing on.
Examples in context
- 古い城には亡霊が出ると聞いた。Furui shiro ni wa bourei ga deru to kiita.I heard a specter appears in the old castle.
- 彼は戦場の亡霊のように見えた。Kare wa senjou no bourei no you ni mieta.He looked like a specter of the battlefield.
- その物語には恐ろしい亡霊が登場する。Sono monogatari ni wa osoroshii bourei ga toujou suru.A terrifying specter appears in that story.
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are visiting an old house.
- 陽太 Yotaあそこに亡霊が見えた気がする。Asoko ni bourei ga mieta ki ga suru.I think I saw a specter over there.
- 結衣 Yui冗談はやめてよ、陽太。Joudan wa yamete yo, Yota.Stop joking around, Yota.
- 陽太 Yota本当に白い亡霊だったよ。Hontou ni shiroi bourei datta yo.It really was a white specter.
- 結衣 Yui早くここから出よう。Hayaku koko kara deyou.Let's get out of here quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “specter” translations and entries 亡霊, 幽霊, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 亡霊, 幽霊, CC BY-SA 4.0.
