How to say "wizard" in Japanese

• 鬼才きさいCommon
  nounCovers the figurative sense of 'wizard', meaning a person of genius or remarkable, exceptional ability. Use it when praising someone whose talent seems almost uncanny, not for anyone who actually does magic.
• 魔法使いまほうつかいCommon
  nounCovers the literal sense: a magician, wizard, sorcerer, or witch who uses magic. This is the word for fictional and fairy-tale magic-users; it is not used for a person of exceptional skill.
  エドガーさんは魔法まほう使つかいだった事こともあるんですか。↗

  So, was there a time when you were a wizard, too?

Use 鬼才 for a figurative 'wizard', a person of extraordinary talent, and 「魔法使い」 for the literal sense, someone who performs magic like a sorcerer or witch.

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

• 鬼才きさいwizard
• 魔法使いまほうつかいmagician
• ウィザードwizard
• 仙せんhermit
• 魔道士まどうしsorcerer
• 妖術師ようじゅつしmagician
• 方士ほうしsorcerer (in ancient China)
• 凄腕すごうでgo-getter