How to say "miracle" in Japanese

• 奇跡きせきCommon
  no-adjectiveThe default word for a miracle as an event: something extraordinary that happens against all odds, whether lucky, providential or simply astonishing. Covers most everyday uses of English 'miracle'.
  奇蹟きせきに近ちかいですね。↗

  It's nothing short of a miracle.
• ミラクルCommon
  nounThe borrowed English word, used where 奇跡 might feel heavy or formal: casual talk, sports commentary, advertising and product names. It carries a lighter, flashier nuance than 奇跡.
• 驚異きょういJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveCloser to 'wonder' or 'amazement' than to 'miracle': it names the astonishment something inspires, not a miraculous event. For the event sense of 'miracle' it is seldom the word you want.
  その光景こうけいを見みて私は驚異きょういの念ねんにうたれた。↗

  The sight struck me with wonder.
• 神業かみわざCommon
  nounAn act so extraordinary it seems divine: the 'miracle' of a superhuman feat. It points to what someone does, not to miraculous events like a lucky escape.
  彼かれの行為こういは全まったく神業かみわざだった。↗

  His act was nothing short of superhuman.
• 霊験れいげんCommon
  nounThe miraculous efficacy or virtue of a deity or of prayer — 'miracle' as divine favor or an answered prayer. A religious, specialized sense; it is not the general-purpose word for 'miracle'.

Use 奇跡 for a miraculous event, 「ミラクル」 as the lighter loanword in casual or flashy contexts, 神業 for a superhuman feat of skill, 驚異 for wonder rather than miracle, and 霊験 for the miraculous efficacy of prayer or a deity.

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

• 奇跡きせきmiracle
• ミラクルmiracle
• 驚異きょういwonder
• 神業かみわざdivine work
• 霊験れいげんmiraculous efficacy
• 不可思議ふかしぎmystery
• 神変しんぺんmiracle
• 霊異れいいmiracle
• 利益りえきgrace (of God, Buddha, etc., esp. as attained through rightful actions, prayer, adherence to one's faith, etc.)
• 妙みょうwonder