鬼(おに)

おに
noun
demon, ogre, oni
culture
1. demon, ogre
A supernatural creature in Japanese folklore.
鬼(おに)ごっこをする。
To play tag.
鬼(おに)が出(で)てくる話(はなし)を読(よ)んだ。
I read a story where demons appear.
桃太郎(ももたろう)が鬼(おに)を退治(たいじ)した。
Momotaro defeated the demons.
節分(せつぶん)には豆(まめ)をまいて鬼(おに)を追(お)い払(はら)う。
During Setsubun, we scatter beans to drive away demons.
子(こ)どもの頃(ころ)、鬼(おに)が出(で)てくる話(はなし)が怖(こわ)くて、夜(よる)一人(ひとり)で寝(ね)られなかった。
When I was a child, stories about demons were so scary that I couldn't sleep alone at night.
2. fierce person
Someone who is very strict or scary.
仕事(しごと)の鬼(おに)だ。
A demon for work (a workaholic).
鬼(おに)のような先生(せんせい)だ。
The teacher is very strict.
心(こころ)を鬼(おに)にして、厳(きび)しいことを言(い)った。
I steeled myself and said something harsh.
あの監督(かんとく)は練習(れんしゅう)の鬼(おに)で、毎日(まいにち)厳(きび)しく指導(しどう)する。
That coach is a demon for practice and gives harsh instruction every day.
彼(かれ)は仕事(しごと)の鬼(おに)と呼(よ)ばれていて、休(やす)みの日(ひ)も会社(かいしゃ)に来(く)ることがある。
He is called a workaholic and sometimes comes to the office even on his days off.

鬼(おに) refers to Japanese demons.

In folklore

Oni are typically depicted with horns, wild hair, and carrying iron clubs.

Common expressions

Setsubun

During Setsubun, people throw 豆(まめ) to drive away 鬼(おに).

Related Words

Compare: 悪魔(あくま) (devil, demon, evil spirit)
Compare: 夜叉(やしゃ) (yaksha, demon, fierce person)
Related: 豆(まめ)まき (bean-throwing (Setsubun ritual))
Compare: 魔(ま) (demon)
Compare: 羅刹(らせつ) (rakshasa)
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
02000/02184_oni