幻影(げんえい)

げんえい
noun
phantom; illusion; vision
formalperception
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(げんえい)を見(み)た。
I saw a phantom.
過去(かこ)の幻影(げんえい)にとらわれている。
I am trapped by the illusions of the past.
砂漠(さばく)の蜃気楼(しんきろう)は旅人(たびびと)に水(みず)の幻影(げんえい)を見(み)せることがある。
Desert mirages can show travelers the illusion of water.

Composed of 幻(げん) (illusion, phantom) + 影(えい) (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(げんえい)を見(み)る: to see a phantom/vision
  • 幻影(げんえい)にとらわれる: to be captivated by an illusion
  • 幻影(げんえい)を追(お)う: to chase an illusion
  • 過去(かこ)の幻影(げんえい): illusions/phantoms of the past

Similar words

  • 幻覚(げんかく): hallucination — a medical/psychological term for false sensory perception; 幻影(げんえい) is more literary
  • 幻想(げんそう): fantasy, illusion — broader, often about unrealistic ideas or dreams; 幻影(げんえい) specifically implies a visual image
  • 亡霊(ぼうれい): ghost — a supernatural being; 幻影(げんえい) 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.

Related Words

Compare: 幻覚(げんかく) (hallucination)
Compare: 幻想(げんそう) (fantasy, illusion)
Compare: 亡霊(ぼうれい) (ghost)
Compare: 虚像(きょぞう) (virtual image)
general
Added 2026.4.5 3:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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