Japanese word

幻

Pronunciation

Romajimaboroshi

Meaning

  • nounillusion

Example

その景色は幻のようでした。so no keshiki wa maboroshi no yō de shi ta

The scenery seemed like an illusion.

Illustration for 幻 (illusion)

More examples

その成功は幻ではなく、皆の努力の結果です。so no sei kō wa maboroshi de wa na ku mina no do ryoku no kek ka de su

That success is not an illusion but the result of everyone's efforts.

Core concept

Describes something unreal that seems present or visible, often because the mind treats an impression as reality.

Common phrases

  • 幻を見るmaboroshi o mi ru

    see an illusion

  • 幻のようなmaboroshi no yō na

    like an illusion

  • 幻を追うmaboroshi o o u

    chase an illusion

Similar words

幻影genei: An unreal image or figure that appears to be present.
幻想gensō: A belief or image created in the mind without a real basis.
幻覚genkaku: A false sight, sound, or other sensation experienced as real.

Definition in Japanese

現実には存在しないのに、存在するように感じられるもの。gen jitsu ni wa son zai shi na i no ni son zai su ru yō ni kan ji ra re ru mo no

Word origin

The native Japanese noun 幻 (maboroshi, "illusion") has no securely established etymology, so its origin is uncertain rather than derived from the character's modern reading.

Usage tips

  • Maboroshi is the English title of a 2023 Japanese animated film directed and written by Mari Okada, giving the word a modern cultural reference.

Other meanings

  • apparitionnoun
  • phantomnoun
  • visionnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word