1.
phantom; illusion; apparition; vision
Something that appears to exist but is not real; a deceptive or imaginary image that the mind perceives.
幻影を見た。
I saw a phantom.
過去の幻影にとらわれている。
I am trapped by the illusions of the past.
砂漠の蜃気楼は旅人に水の幻影を見せることがある。
Desert mirages can show travelers the illusion of water.
Composed of 幻 (illusion, phantom) + 影 (shadow, image). Refers to something that seems real but is actually a product of the imagination or deception of the senses.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 幻影を見る: to see a phantom/vision
- 幻影にとらわれる: to be captivated by an illusion
- 幻影を追う: to chase an illusion
- 過去の幻影: illusions/phantoms of the past
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 幻覚: hallucination — a medical/psychological term for false sensory perception; 幻影 is more literary
- 幻想: fantasy, illusion — broader, often about unrealistic ideas or dreams; 幻影 specifically implies a visual image
- 亡霊: ghost — a supernatural being; 幻影 is not necessarily supernatural
REGISTER:
Literary and somewhat formal. Common in novels, poetry, and figurative writing. Often used metaphorically for things like past glory, lost youth, or unrealistic hopes.