Translation guide
A jinx is a superstition that saying something will cause bad luck, or the act of causing bad luck by speaking. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through specific phrases, verbs, and cultural references.
The belief that mentioning a positive or negative outcome will cause the opposite to happen, or bring bad luck.
Refers to the spiritual power of words; the belief that spoken words can influence reality. Often used in contexts of jinxing something by saying it aloud.
言霊を信じるから、悪いことは口にしない。
I believe in the power of words, so I don't say bad things.
Used to scold someone for saying something unlucky or tempting fate. Equivalent to 'Don't jinx it!' or 'That's bad luck to say.'
「事故に遭わないといいね」「縁起でもないこと言わないで！」
"I hope you don't get into an accident." "Don't say such unlucky things!"
Slang from otaku culture, meaning to say or do something that foreshadows a negative outcome, like 'raising a death flag'. Used casually for jinxing a situation.
「明日の試合、絶対勝てるよ」と言ったらフラグを立てちゃった。
I jinxed it by saying 'We'll definitely win tomorrow's game.'
Literally 'if you say it, it won't come true'. A common expression for the jinx concept.
願い事は口にすると実現しないって言うよね。
They say if you say your wish out loud, it won't come true.
The action of jinxing someone or something by saying something that brings misfortune.
Means to curse or bring divine punishment. Can be used for jinxing in a superstitious sense, often implying a lasting bad effect.
そんなことを言うと祟られるよ。
If you say that, you'll be cursed (jinxed).
To curse someone. Stronger than 'jinx', but used in similar contexts when speaking of bringing bad luck intentionally.
Literally 'break a jinx', using the loanword ジンクス. Refers to defying a superstition or bad luck pattern.
彼はジンクスを破って優勝した。
He broke the jinx and won the championship.
A jinx as a noun: someone or something believed to cause misfortune.
Literally 'god of plague'. Used for a person who brings bad luck or is a jinx.
彼が来ると負けるから、疫病神だよ。
Whenever he comes, we lose, so he's a jinx.
The loanword 'jinx' used as a noun for a superstition or unlucky pattern, not usually for a person.
Literally 'source of misfortune'. Can describe a jinx object or person.
この傘は不運の元だ。
This umbrella is a jinx.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'to jinx'. Using ジンクスする is not natural. Instead, use phrases like 縁起でもないことを言う or フラグを立てる depending on context.
祟る implies a supernatural curse or retribution, often from a god or spirit, while 呪う is a deliberate act of cursing someone. For casual jinxing, フラグを立てる is more appropriate.
彼は疫病神だ。
He's a jinx.
縁起でもないから言わないけど、勝てると思う。
I don't want to jinx it, but I think we'll win.
He cursed (jinxed) his rival.
To be superstitious; to do things for good luck or avoid bad luck. Can imply avoiding jinxing behavior.
彼は縁起を担いで、試合前には「勝つ」と言わない。
He is superstitious and doesn't say 'win' before a match.
彼には変なジンクスがある。
He has a weird jinx.