Translation guide
A person who practices divination or fortune-telling. In Japanese, the most common and neutral term is 占い師 (uranaishi). Other terms exist for specific traditions or contexts, such as 易者 (ekisha) for I Ching diviners, or 巫女 (miko) for shrine maidens who perform divination. The choice depends on the method and setting.
A person who tells fortunes or predicts the future, often as a profession.
The standard, neutral term for a fortune-teller or diviner. Covers most modern contexts, from street fortune-tellers to TV personalities.
彼女は有名な占い師です。
She is a famous fortune-teller.
占い師に手相を見てもらった。
I had my palm read by a fortune-teller.
Specifically a diviner who uses the I Ching (易経). More traditional and less common in everyday speech.
易者に易を立ててもらう。
I have a diviner cast the I Ching for me.
A formal, literary term for a diviner, often using tortoise shells or other traditional methods. Rare in modern conversation.
古代の卜者が亀甲を用いて占った。
Ancient diviners used tortoise shells for divination.
A female diviner associated with Shinto shrines, often performing ritual dances and communicating with spirits.
A shrine maiden who may perform divination, particularly in traditional settings. Also appears in popular culture (e.g., anime).
巫女が神託を伝える。
The shrine maiden conveys the oracle.
An alternative reading for 巫女, sometimes used to emphasize the divine connection. Less common.
神子が神の声を聞く。
The divine child hears the voice of the god.
A specialist in a particular divination system.
An astrologer; a diviner who uses astrology.
占星術師がホロスコープを作成した。
The astrologer drew up a horoscope.
A feng shui master; a diviner who uses feng shui to assess and adjust energy flow.
A physiognomist; a diviner who reads facial features. Rarely used outside historical or specialized contexts.
占い師 is the general term for any fortune-teller. 易者 is specifically for I Ching diviners and sounds old-fashioned. 巫女 is a shrine maiden and implies a religious context; not all 巫女 are primarily diviners.
The English word 'diviner' can sound archaic or overly formal. In most everyday situations, 占い師 is the natural choice. Using 卜者 or 易者 may confuse listeners unless you are discussing historical or specific traditional practices.
風水師に家の間取りを相談した。
I consulted a feng shui master about the house layout.
人相見が彼の顔を見て運命を語った。
The physiognomist read his face and told his fortune.