カルト
かると
noun
cult
1.
cult, cult group
A fanatical religious or ideological group, often with a charismatic leader and secretive or manipulative practices. In Japanese, used primarily in the negative sense of a dangerous or harmful group.
カルトに気をつけて。
Be careful of cults.
その団体はカルトだと言われている。
That organization is said to be a cult.
若者がカルトに勧誘されるケースが増えている。
Cases of young people being recruited by cults are increasing.
2.
cult (following), cult classic
A work of art, film, or other cultural product with a small but passionate fan base. Used as a modifier in compounds like カルト映画 (cult film).
この映画はカルト的な人気がある。
This movie has a cult following.
カルト映画が好きだ。
I like cult films.
公開当時は無名だったが、今ではカルト的な名作として知られている。
It was unknown at the time of release, but is now known as a cult classic.
USAGE:
In Japanese, カルト most commonly refers to dangerous or harmful religious groups (sense 1). The entertainment sense (sense 2) is also well established, particularly in the compound カルト映画 (cult film).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- カルト集団: cult group
- カルト宗教: cult religion
- カルト映画: cult film
- カルト的な人気: cult following
NOTE:
The word gained widespread recognition in Japan after the 1995 Aum Shinrikyo incidents, and is strongly associated with the concept of dangerous religious groups in everyday usage.