Translation guide
An apparition is a ghostly figure or supernatural appearance. In Japanese, the most common and natural equivalent is 幽霊 (ゆうれい), but other words exist for different nuances like phantom, spirit, or vision.
A visible manifestation of a dead person's spirit, often scary or haunting.
The standard word for a ghost or apparition of a dead person. It implies a traditional, often scary, spirit with a specific form.
夜中に幽霊を見た。
I saw an apparition in the middle of the night.
この屋敷には幽霊が出るらしい。
They say an apparition appears in this mansion.
Literally 'departed spirit'. Similar to 幽霊 but can sound more literary or formal. Often used for vengeful or restless spirits.
亡霊が彼の夢に現れた。
An apparition appeared in his dream.
A more general, often childish or casual term for a ghost or monster. Can be used for any spooky apparition, not necessarily human.
子どもはお化けを怖がる。
Children are scared of apparitions.
A vision or hallucination, something that appears but may not be physically present.
Refers to a phantom, illusion, or vision. Emphasizes the fleeting, unreal nature of the apparition. Often used poetically.
それはただの幻だった。
It was just an apparition.
砂漠で幻を見る。
To see an apparition in the desert.
A more formal or literary term for a phantom or vision. Often used in psychological or artistic contexts.
A broader category of supernatural entities, not necessarily human spirits.
A general term for Japanese folkloric monsters, spirits, and demons. While not exactly 'apparition', it's often used in similar contexts for strange supernatural appearances.
この森には妖怪が出る。
Apparitions appear in this forest.
An archaic or literary term for a vengeful spirit or supernatural being that possesses or curses people. Famous from the movie 'Princess Mononoke'.
The act of appearing suddenly or unexpectedly, like a ghost.
Means 'appearance' or 'emergence'. Can be used for an apparition in the sense of something suddenly appearing, but it's a general word, not specifically supernatural.
幽霊の出現に驚いた。
I was surprised by the apparition's appearance.
幽霊 (ゆうれい) specifically refers to the spirit of a dead person, often with a tragic backstory and a specific form (white kimono, long hair). お化け (おばけ) is a broader, more casual term for any spooky thing, including monsters and shape-shifters. 妖怪 (ようかい) is a category of supernatural creatures from folklore, like kappa or tengu, not necessarily human spirits.
The direct loanword アパリション (aparishon) is not commonly used in Japanese. It might be understood in very specific contexts (like the Harry Potter spell), but it's not a natural translation for 'apparition' in general.
彼は幻影に悩まされた。
He was tormented by apparitions.
物の怪に取り憑かれる。
To be possessed by an apparition.