Translation guide
To cast a spell on someone or to captivate them completely. In Japanese, the magical and figurative senses are often expressed with different words.
To use magic to control or harm someone
The most common and neutral way to say 'cast a spell on someone'. It can be used for both positive and negative magic.
魔女が王子に魔法をかけた。
The witch bewitched the prince.
Specifically means to put a curse on someone, often with malicious intent. More negative than 魔法をかける.
彼は敵に呪いをかけた。
He bewitched his enemy with a curse.
Literally 'to charm' or 'to fascinate'. Can be used in fantasy contexts for magical charming, but more often used figuratively.
その魔法使いは村人を魅了した。
The sorcerer bewitched the villagers.
To attract or delight someone so strongly that they seem under a spell
The standard word for 'captivate' or 'enchant'. Works for people, performances, beauty, etc.
彼女の歌声は聴衆を魅了した。
Her singing voice bewitched the audience.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers both magical and figurative senses naturally. Use 魔法をかける for magic and 魅了する for captivation. Using 魅了する for literal spellcasting can sound odd unless in a fantasy context.
Means to make someone spellbound or enraptured, often with a dreamy nuance. Used for beauty, music, or romantic attraction.
その景色は私をうっとりさせた。
The scenery bewitched me.
Literally 'steal one's heart'. A common idiomatic phrase for being completely captivated by someone or something.
彼は彼女の美しさに心を奪われた。
He was bewitched by her beauty.
Literally 'to put under a spell'. Used figuratively to mean 'bewitch' in a romantic or captivating sense, but can sound slightly dramatic.
彼女は彼を魔法にかけたようだ。
She seems to have bewitched him.