1.
mysterious; supernatural; uncanny phenomenon
a strange or supernatural phenomenon; something mysterious and eerie that defies normal explanation
Used for mysterious or supernatural phenomena, especially in the context of Japanese folklore, ghost stories, and horror fiction. As a noun, it refers to the phenomenon itself; as a na-adjective, it describes something as eerie or uncanny.
Common collocations
- 怪異な現象: mysterious phenomenon
- 怪異譚: tale of the supernatural
- 怪異が起きる: a supernatural event occurs
- 怪異な雰囲気: eerie atmosphere
Cultural note
Japanese literature has a rich tradition of 怪異 stories, from classical works like 今昔物語 to modern horror fiction. The concept overlaps with 妖怪 (supernatural creatures) but is broader, encompassing any unexplainable phenomenon.