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A

Anonymous

Dec 06, 2024

What is the best definition of 幻 (maboroshi)?

I recently visited a Japanese website called Nounai Maker, where you can input your name to discover what it says about you. One of the characters that puzzled me was 幻 (maboroshi). I found that it translates to "phantom," but that interpretation seems confusing. Does it imply that I think a lot about ghosts? I feel like I might be misunderstanding its meaning. Can anyone provide a clearer definition or context for 幻 (maboroshi)?

3 Answers

A
Anonymous

Dec 15, 2024

幻 can mean phantom or ghost, and that is what a dictionary would tell you. Though in reality it is more often used as a metaphor for things that are troubling you, ie. spectres from the past, things that are hard to grasp, etc. (ex. 幻の名物 – phantom souvenir – people say it is available, but you cannot find it) This is also often used when describing thinking about those who have died, especially those close to us, but less as a ghostbusters ghost and more as a ghost of the mind.

Hope this helps!

A
Anonymous

Dec 18, 2024

Maboroshi (幻) can also be translated as illusion.

I hope that helps!

A
Anonymous

Jan 19, 2025

maboroshi 【幻】

–common noun

phantom; vision; illusion; dream

例私の罪は幻のように思える。

My crime seems unreal to me. »

Note: 幻 (maboroshi) is never a ghost or ghosts.

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