How to say "delusion" in Japanese

• 妄想もうそうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers the core sense of delusion: a belief or idea wildly out of touch with reality, including the psychiatric use, and also a ridiculous fantasy or wild daydream one indulges in.
  あの少女しょうじょは自分じぶんが王女おうじょ様さまだという妄想もうそうにとらわれている。↗

  That girl is under the delusion that she is a princess.
• 迷いまよいCommon
  nounReally means wavering, hesitation, or being lost in doubt; its 'delusion' sense is spiritual, a mind gone astray. Seldom the word you want for a delusion as a fixed false belief.
• 錯覚さっかくJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbAn illusion or misconception: mistaking one thing for another, whether a trick of the senses or a mistaken idea one later realizes was wrong. For a deep-seated delusion, 妄想 is the word instead.

For a delusion as a false belief or wild fantasy detached from reality, use 妄想; 錯覚 is a mistaken perception or idea one can correct; 「迷い」 is really wavering or being lost, seldom 'delusion'.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 妄想もうそうdelusion
• 惑いまどいdelusion
• 気の迷いきのまよいdelusion
• 迷想めいそうdelusion
• 迷妄めいもうillusion
• 迷夢めいむillusion
• 了見違いりょうけんちがいwrong idea
• 迷いまよいillusion
• 錯覚さっかくmisapprehension
• お花畑おはなばたけfantasy
• 夢ゆめdelusion