1.
spell, incantation, magic words
Words or phrases chanted to invoke magical or supernatural effects. Used both in traditional religious/spiritual contexts and in modern fantasy, games, and popular culture.
魔法使いが呪文を唱えた。
The wizard chanted a spell.
呪文を覚えないと魔法は使えない。
You can't use magic unless you memorize the spells.
子どもたちは呪文のような言葉を繰り返しながら遊んでいた。
The children were playing while repeating words like magic spells.
Very commonly encountered in RPGs, fantasy anime/manga, and games (especially the Dragon Quest series, where 呪文 is the standard term for spells). Also used in traditional Buddhist and Shinto contexts for sacred chants and incantations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 呪文を唱える — to chant a spell
- 呪文を覚える — to learn/memorize a spell
- 呪文を解く — to break a spell
- 呪文のような — spell-like, incomprehensible (like magic words)