1.
curse; hex; spell
A supernatural invocation intended to bring harm, misfortune, or suffering upon someone. Also used figuratively to describe a persistent negative influence or bad luck that seems to follow a person or place.
呪いをかけられた。
I was cursed.
この家には呪いがかかっているという噂がある。
There is a rumor that this house is under a curse.
彼は過去の失敗の呪いから逃れられないでいる。
He cannot escape the curse of his past failures.
USAGE:
呪い is the noun form derived from the verb 呪う (to curse). It is commonly used in stories, folklore, horror, and figurative speech. The kanji 呪 can also be read じゅ in on'yomi compounds like 呪文 (incantation).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 呪いをかける (to place a curse)
- 呪いを解く (to lift a curse)
- 呪いにかかる (to be cursed)
- 呪いの言葉 (words of a curse)
RELATED TERMS:
- 呪う is the verb form meaning 'to curse.'
- 呪文 means incantation or magic spell.
- 祟り means a divine curse or punishment from a spirit.