霊(れい)

れい
noun
spirit; ghost; soul
1. spirit; soul (of the deceased)
The spirit or soul of a person who has died. Used respectfully in religious and ceremonial contexts.
先祖(せんぞ)の霊(れい)をまつる。
Enshrine the spirits of one's ancestors.
戦没者(せんぼつしゃ)の霊(れい)に祈(いの)りをささげた。
We offered prayers to the spirits of the war dead.
お盆(ぼん)には亡(な)くなった人(ひと)の霊(れい)が家(いえ)に帰(かえ)ってくると信(しん)じられている。
It's believed that the spirits of the deceased return home during Obon.
2. ghost; apparition
A supernatural being or ghostly presence. Used in horror, folklore, and supernatural contexts.
この建物(たてもの)には霊(れい)が出(で)るらしい。
Apparently ghosts appear in this building.
霊(れい)の正体(しょうたい)は何(なん)だったのか。
What was the ghost's true identity?
友人(ゆうじん)が心霊(しんれい)スポットで霊(れい)を見(み)たと言(い)い張(は)っている。
My friend insists they saw a ghost at a haunted spot.

The nuance shifts depending on context: respectful when referring to ancestors' spirits (sense 1), spooky when referring to ghosts (sense 2).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 霊(れい)をまつる (enshrine/honor a spirit)
  • 霊(れい)が出(で)る (a ghost appears)
  • 霊(れい)を弔(とむら)う (mourn a spirit)

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 心霊(しんれい) (psychic, supernatural)
  • 幽霊(ゆうれい) (ghost — the most common word for ghost)
  • 悪霊(あくりょう) (evil spirit)
  • 守護霊(しゅごれい) (guardian spirit)
  • 霊場(れいじょう) (sacred place)
  • 霊園(れいえん) (cemetery)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 幽霊(ゆうれい) is the standard word for ghost
  • 霊(れい) is broader, covering both respectful and supernatural uses
  • 魂(たましい) refers to the soul as a spiritual essence
general
Added 2026.3.2 19:56
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