1.
to possess, to haunt
For a spirit, ghost, or supernatural entity to attach itself to a person or place. The person or thing possessed is marked with に.
悪霊に取り憑かれた。
I was possessed by an evil spirit.
この家には幽霊が取り憑いている。
This house is haunted by a ghost.
狐に取り憑かれたという言い伝えがある。
There is a legend about someone being possessed by a fox spirit.
2.
to be obsessed with, to be gripped by
Used figuratively for an idea, emotion, or obsession that takes hold of someone and won't let go, as if one were possessed.
不安に取り憑かれている。
I am gripped by anxiety.
彼は成功への執念に取り憑かれていた。
He was obsessed with his fixation on success.
まるで何かに取り憑かれたように働き続けた。
He kept working as if possessed by something.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 悪霊に取り憑かれる (be possessed by an evil spirit)
- 不安に取り憑かれる (be gripped by anxiety)
- 狐に取り憑かれる (be possessed by a fox spirit)
USAGE NOTES:
Most commonly encountered in the passive form 取り憑かれる. The kanji 憑く is uncommon and the word is sometimes written as 取り付く, though that spelling can also mean "to cling to" in a non-supernatural sense. In the figurative sense, it describes an overwhelming psychological state that controls someone's behavior.