How to Say "Superstition" in Japanese

迷信

meishin[me̞ːɕĩɴ]

The English word superstition is 迷信 (meishin) in Japanese.

The most common term for superstition in Japanese is 迷信. If you want to describe a person as being 'superstitious', use the adjective form 迷信深い.

Meaning: a belief considered irrational, unfounded, or guided by fear and ignorance (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word 迷信 is composed of the kanji 迷, meaning 'to stray' or 'to be lost' and 信, meaning 'belief' or 'faith'.

meishin

A common Japanese superstition involves 夜に爪を切る, or 'cutting nails at night', which was historically believed to shorten one's life.
Japanese culture has a specific concept called 縁起担ぎ, which describes the active practice of following superstitions to bring good luck.
In Japan, the number 4 is avoided due to a superstition linked to the word 死 for 'death', which sounds like the word for 'four'.

夜に爪を切るなって、まだそんな迷信を信じてるの？
You still believe that superstition about cutting your nails at night?
Tatoeba #1031927 by bunbuku, translation #2574424 by anciental
「どこの迷信よ、それ」「庶民の知恵を言ってくれ」
"Where's that superstition from?" "Call it folk wisdom."
Tatoeba #75404 by fcbond, translation #328315 by fcbond
彼女は迷信を信じています。
She believes in superstitions.
古代の迷信は現代でも生きています。
Ancient superstitions still exist in modern times.
試験前にまじないをする人もいますね。
Some people perform rituals before exams, you know.
旅行の前にまじないをして旅の安全を祈りましょう。
Let's perform a ritual before the trip and pray for a safe journey.
そんなのただの迷信だよ。
Sonna no tada no meishin da yo.
That's just a superstition.

Kenta and Yui are talking about a lucky charm.

結衣 Yui

このお守りを持つと、運気が上がりますよ。
Kono omamori o motsu to, unki ga agarimasu yo.
If you have this charm, your luck will improve.
健太 Kenta

そんなの、ただの迷信じゃないかな。
Sonna no, tada no meishin janai kana.
Isn't that just a superstition?
結衣 Yui

でも、信じることで安心できるし。
Demo, shinjiru koto de anshin dekiru shi.
But believing in it makes you feel at ease.
健太 Kenta

まあ、結衣がそう思うならいいと思うよ。
Maa, Yui ga sou omou nara ii to omou yo.
Well, if you think so, Yui, I guess it's fine.

Sources

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