Translation guide
A broad cultural and spiritual movement emphasizing holistic health, spirituality, and alternative beliefs. In Japanese, it is often referred to by the borrowed term ニューエイジ, but related concepts like 'spiritual' (スピリチュアル) are more common in everyday conversation.
Referring to the broad spiritual and cultural movement that emerged in the West in the late 20th century.
The direct loanword for 'New Age'. Used in contexts discussing the movement, its philosophy, or New Age music. It is understood but not as ubiquitous as 'spiritual'.
彼女はニューエイジの思想に影響を受けている。
She is influenced by New Age ideas.
ニューエイジミュージックはリラックスできる。
New Age music is relaxing.
While literally 'spiritual', this word is heavily associated with New Age practices in Japan, such as aura reading, power stones, and alternative healing. It often implies a New Age context.
最近、スピリチュアルなことに興味がある。
Lately, I'm interested in New Age/spiritual things.
Describing a personal interest in alternative spirituality, holistic healing, or esoteric practices typical of the New Age.
Means 'spiritual way of thinking' and is the most natural way to express New Age beliefs in personal contexts.
彼はスピリチュアルな考え方を持っている。
He has a New Age/spiritual outlook.
Literally 'spiritual world', this term is used for the realm of spirituality, mysticism, and New Age thought. It can sound slightly more formal or literary.
彼女は精神世界の探求に人生を捧げた。
She dedicated her life to exploring the spiritual/New Age world.
Referring to specific activities like crystal healing, aura cleansing, tarot, or meditation associated with the New Age.
'Spiritual healing' is a common term covering many New Age healing modalities.
彼女はスピリチュアルな癒しを提供している。
She offers New Age/spiritual healing.
'Power stone' is a Japanese term for crystals and gemstones used for their supposed energetic properties, a staple of New Age shops.
パワーストーンブレスレットを買った。
I bought a power stone (New Age crystal) bracelet.
The loanword 'aura' is used in New Age contexts for the energy field around a person.
Specifically referring to the musical genre characterized by soothing, atmospheric sounds.
The standard term for the music genre. Often abbreviated as ニューエイジ in context.
寝る前にニューエイジミュージックを聴く。
I listen to New Age music before sleeping.
'Healing music' is a broader category that overlaps significantly with New Age music in Japan.
このヒーリングミュージックは心が落ち着く。
This healing music (New Age style) calms my mind.
ニューエイジ is a direct reference to the Western movement and is used in academic or historical contexts, or for the music genre. スピリチュアル is far more common in everyday Japanese to describe personal beliefs, alternative healing, fortune-telling, and related lifestyles. A person who is 'into New Age stuff' would be described as スピリチュアルな人, not ニューエイジな人.
彼女はとてもスピリチュアルな人だ。
She is a very spiritual/New Age person.
Do not translate 'New Age' literally as 新しい時代 (atarashii jidai). That means 'new era' in a general sense and does not convey the spiritual movement. Use the loanwords or related terms above.
Some people claim they can see auras.