超自然
chōshizen
The English word "supernatural" is translated into Japanese as 超自然 (chōshizen).
While 超自然 is the direct way to express this concept, you might encounter the term 神秘, which is used to emphasize the mystical or mysterious aspects of the supernatural.
Meaning: above nature (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix 超 (chō), meaning "super-" or "beyond" and 自然 (shizen), meaning "nature".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use this word as an adjective to modify a noun, you typically add the particle な to the end, creating the form 超自然的な.
How do you pronounce it?
chōshizen
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore, entities that are 'supernatural' are often categorized as 妖怪 (yōkai), a term that encompasses ghosts, spirits and monsters into one single classification.
- The prefix 超 (chō) is used in modern Japanese slang to mean 'extremely' or 'very'. A teenager might describe a 'supernatural' amount of homework as 超多い (chō-ooi).
- Japanese pop culture often replaces the formal 超自然的な with オカルト (okaruto), a loanword from the English 'occult', to describe paranormal investigations.
Examples in context
- 彼はオカルトの世界に強い関心を持っています。He has a strong interest in the world of the supernatural.
- 山岳地帯には多くの神秘が隠されていると言われています。It is said that many mysteries are hidden in mountainous areas.
- 彼は物の怪に出会ったと言っています。He says he encountered a supernatural being.
- あの山には化け物が住んでいると言われています。It is said that monsters live in that mountain.
- 超自然的な力は存在しますか。chōshizen-tekina chikara wa sonzai shimasu ka.Do supernatural powers exist?
- その現象は超自然的なものだ。sono genshō wa chōshizen-tekina mono da.That phenomenon is something supernatural.
- 超自然的な体験をしたことがあります。chōshizen-tekina taiken o shita koto ga arimasu.I have had a supernatural experience.
Example conversation
Ren and Misaki are talking about a ghost story movie.
- 蓮 Renこの映画の超自然的な演出はすごかったね。kono eiga no chōshizen-tekina enshutsu wa sugokatta ne.The supernatural effects in this movie were amazing.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね。本当に怖かったよ。sō da ne. hontō ni kowakatta yo.I agree. It was really scary.
- 蓮 Ren美咲は超自然なことが信じられる？Misaki wa chōshizenna koto ga shinjirareru?Misaki, do you believe in supernatural things?
- 美咲 Misakiうーん、あまり信じていないかな。ūn, amari shinjite inai kana.Hmm, I don't really believe in them.
