魔(ま)

ま
noun
demon; evil; magic
1. demon; evil spirit; devil
A supernatural evil being or malevolent force. Common in religious, mythological, and fantasy contexts.
魔(ま)が差(さ)した。
I was seized by a moment of madness.
勇者(ゆうしゃ)が魔王(まおう)を倒(たお)す物語(ものがたり)。
A story of a hero defeating the demon king.
彼(かれ)は普段(ふだん)は真面目(まじめ)だが、魔(ま)が差(さ)して嘘(うそ)をついてしまった。
He's normally honest, but a moment of weakness made him tell a lie.
2. magic; sorcery; temptation
Supernatural or dark power, or the temptation to do something harmful. Used in compounds related to magic, witchcraft, and irresistible urges.
魔法(まほう)が使(つか)えたらいいのに。
I wish I could use magic.
この場所(ばしょ)には魔(ま)の力(ちから)が宿(やど)っている。
A dark power dwells in this place.
睡魔(すいま)に襲(おそ)われて、会議中(かいぎちゅう)なのに目(め)が閉(と)じそうになった。
Drowsiness overcame me, and I nearly closed my eyes even though I was in a meeting.

Refers to demons, evil forces, and dark magic. Extremely productive in compounds. The expression 魔(ま)が差(さ)す (literally 'the devil slipped in') is one of the most common everyday uses.

KEY EXPRESSION:
魔(ま)が差(さ)す — to be momentarily tempted; to act on a sudden impulse (usually to do something wrong). Used to explain uncharacteristic bad behavior.

COMMON COMPOUNDS:

  • 魔王(まおう) — demon king
  • 魔法(まほう) — magic, sorcery
  • 魔女(まじょ) — witch
  • 魔物(まもの) — demon, monster
  • 魔力(まりょく) — magical power
  • 悪魔(あくま) — devil, demon
  • 睡魔(すいま) — drowsiness (literally 'sleep demon')
  • 魔除(まよ)け — charm against evil, talisman

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 魔(ま)が差(さ)す — to have a moment of weakness
  • 魔(ま)の手(て) — the clutches of evil
  • 魔(ま)の力(ちから) — demonic/dark power
  • 魔(ま)の時間帯(じかんたい) — the 'witching hour' (dangerous period)

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 鬼(おに) — ogre, demon (more Japanese folklore, less supernatural evil)
  • 悪魔(あくま) — devil (specifically the Devil or a demon in the Christian sense)
general
Added 2026.3.25 19:15
19000/19358_ma