I know why you’re here.
It’s close to midnight…
You’re in an evil mood…
And you’re are looking for Japanese words with dark meanings.
Because surely if there are beautiful Japanese words, there must be some dark Japanese words as well, no?
Well, the dark Lingua Junkie (me) has sensed your darkness coming over to my site… and I will entertain your inner demons. You’re going to learn some dark Japanese words, phrases, and idioms.
1. Akuma
One of the darkest words in Japanese is “akuma” which means devil or evil spirit in Japanese.
It can represent any kind of evil spirit even in different cultures.
For example, you can call both Satan and the Buddhist Mara demon “akuma”.
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2. Aku
Now, similar to the word above… here we have “Aku.”
Aku means evil.
You may also know the word from the cartoon, Samurai Jack. (Gotta get back… back to the past… Samurai Jack…)
3. Yami
This Japanese word is interesting because it represents a more spiritual or mental darkness.
In daily life, you wouldn’t describe the outside darkness as “yami”.
However, if you have darkness inside of you, it could be described with this word.
In that sense, it is a profound word that can represent the deep darkness inside of people or the underworld.
4. Noroi
“Noroi” in Japanese means curse and it can be found in Japanese folklore.
In ancient times, cursing someone could be an illegal and punishable offense.
When someone is cursed it can also signify that they are haunted by a spirit.
5. Yuurei
Yuurei is how you say “ghost” in Japanese.
Ghosts are a big part of Japanese culture and people often believe that the spirits of those who have died remain in their houses.
Many horror films produced in Japan involve “yuurei” that might occupy an old house. Since there are many abandoned old houses in Japan, especially in the countryside, it could be a good setting for a ghost story.
6. Kurayami
“Kurayami” takes the word “yami” (internal darkness) with the word “kurai” (dark).
This word can be used for actual darkness outside or as a more poetic way to say darkness. I
t is different from the word “yami” in that it describes a physical darkness rather than a spiritual or mental one.
7. Osoroshii
This is a Japanese word that means scary or frightening.
It is especially used to describe monsters and evil spirits.
A Japanese folklore monster that could be “osoroshii” would be an “oni”, which is a Japanese demon or ogre.
In regular speech, if something is scary you might not use this word unless you are talking about a monster or a terrible person.
8. Kage
Shadows can also invoke a feeling of darkness, and it is the word “kage” in Japanese.
This word is neutral in that it simply means “shadow” so there is no underlying tone of scariness.
You can describe a situation where you see someone’s shadow or if someone is about to attack you from the shadows.
9. Kowai
“Kowai” is the most standard way to say scary in Japanese.
It can be used when you’re mildly scared on a rollercoaster, or in a serious case when you’re in danger.
This word is very similar in pronunciation to the word “kawaii,” meaning cute, so make sure to pronounce it correctly!
10. Zotto suru
This verb-phrase uses Japanese onomatopoeia “zotto”…
Which represents the sound (Japanese onomatopeia) of shivering or feeling a chill down your spine.
It is the feeling when you suddenly feel cold and scared.
It can also represent when you feel like something is creepy.
11. 黒い
This is the word for the color black in Japanese…
And it is a useful word for expressing darkness.
The Japanese have used black in many contexts especially in traditional lacquer and also in calligraphy.
The paint used for calligraphy is made of soot combined with animal glue and it is an important part of traditional Japanese culture.
12. Torihada ga tatsu
In scary situations, you might get goosebumps and this phrase can describe it.
In Japanese, goosebumps are translated to “bird skin”.
Next time you’re watching a Japanese horror movie you can use this phrase!
13. Hiya ase ga deru
This is a phrase that describes situations when you might get cold sweats.
It is interesting how scary and dark situations can make you cold.
In Japan, there are many haunted houses, scary stories, and horror movies during the summer so that people can cool down from their cold sweats!
14. Zawazawa
This is another Japanese onomatopeia.
In scary and dark situations, the smallest noises can be frightening.
This Japanese onomatopoeia describes the rustling or shuffling sounds you might hear as you walk through a haunted house.
15. Kurai
This is the literal word for “dark” in Japanese.
It can also describe someone whose personality is dark, gloomy, and negative.
“Kurai” is a useful word since it can be used for both physically perceived darkness and as a character or personality trait.
16. 悪い夢
Nightmares can be very scary and this word describes a bad dream.
Too many Japanese horror movies and scary folk tales could make you have a “warui yume”!
17. Akumu
This is how you say nightmare in Japanese.
If you check the word for “bad dream” above, it uses same kanji.
18. Yoru
Nighttime is usually when many dark things happen and evil spirits come out, even in Japanese culture.
The sounds that spirits make such as rustling or shuffling on floorboards tend to happen in the evening.
19. Yuugure
Twilight is another kind of darkness where the sun is almost completely set and there is a small amount of light.
This type of darkness is significant in Japanese culture.
There is an example in Japanese folklore where it is believed you have a higher chance of encountering monsters and ghosts during twilight.
Why?
During ancient times, people believed that twilight was a divide between reality and the other world.
21. Jigoku
Jigoku is how you say hell in Japanese.
You learned akuma (devil), aku (evil), so mentioning hell on a list of Japanese words with dark meanings only makes sense!
21. Gishin Anki
This is one of the many Japanese proverbs and it means…
Meaning: Suspicion will raise demons.
Once you become suspicious, everything is suspicious.
And thus, a doubtful mind creates it’s own devils and sets itself up for failure.
Back to You.
Now, you know some Japanese words with dark meanings.
Which one was your favorite?
Wondering if there are any specific words?
Leave me a comment.
– The Main Lingua Junkie
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