魔女狩り
The English phrase "witch hunt" is translated into Japanese as 魔女狩り.
The term 魔女狩り is used metaphorically, just as it is in English, to describe situations where individuals are unfairly persecuted or targeted by a group or an authority. You can use the phrase 魔女狩りを行う to mean "to conduct a witch hunt", or use the katakana version in the phrase ウィッチハントが広がる to mean "witch hunts are spreading".
Did you know?
- The word 狩り in 魔女狩り is the same word used for 'hunting' animals, but it also appears in the name of the traditional autumn 'leaf-hunting' activity 紅葉狩り, where people 'hunt' for colorful maples.
- The character 魔 (ma) in 魔女 does not just mean 'witch', but carries a connotation of 'demon' or 'magical/supernatural mischief' that is much stronger than the English 'witch'.
- In modern Japanese media, 魔女狩り is frequently used in 'social deduction' games or reality shows to describe the process of trying to find a hidden traitor.
Examples in context
- 魔女狩りが始まってしまった。The witch hunt has begun.This sentence is useful for expressing that a witch hunt has started, using the form 魔女狩り.Tatoeba #942807 by thyc244, translation #941696 by U2FS
- ウィッチハントは現代社会にも存在します。Witch hunts also exist in modern society.
- 去年、この地域で魔女狩りが起きた。Last year, a witch hunt occurred in this area.
- SNSでの魔女狩りは恐ろしい。SNS de no majo-gari wa osoroshii.Witch hunts on social media are terrifying.
- これは正義ではなく、ただの魔女狩りだ。Kore wa seigi dewa naku, tada no majo-gari da.This is not justice, it is just a witch hunt.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a controversial news story online.
- 健太 Kentaあのニュース、まるで魔女狩りのようだね。Ano nyuusu, marude majo-gari no you da ne.That news story is just like a witch hunt, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiそうだね、あまりにも攻撃的すぎるよ。Sou da ne, amari ni mo kougekiteki sugiru yo.You're right, it's way too aggressive.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、ネットの反応を見すぎないでね。Misaki, netto no hannou o misuginaide ne.Misaki, don't watch the online reactions too closely.
- 美咲 Misaki分かった、健太。気をつけるよ。Wakatta, Kenta. Ki o tsukeru yo.I understand, Kenta. I'll be careful.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
