心霊|しんれいshinrei[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectivespirit (e.g. human spirit); soul
2. nounspirit; ghost; ethereal being

• Synonym魂たましいNeutralNative word for the soul; figuratively one's inner spirit or essence, as in 「職人の魂」. 「心霊」 leans to supernatural phenomena.
• Synonym霊魂れいこんWrittenWritten word for the soul that persists after the body dies; religious or philosophical flavor, also used in supernatural contexts.
• SynonymスピリットNeutralLoanword for spirit or drive, often as 「チャレンジスピリット」; it covers morale and vigor rather than ghosts.
• Synonym精霊しょうりょうNeutralSpirits dwelling in nature, with a fantasy or religious feel, as in 「森の精霊」.
• SynonymソウルNeutralLoanword for the soul, mostly in music and food terms like 「ソウルミュージック」 and 「ソウルフード」.
• Synonym魂魄こんぱくWrittenWritten, classical term for the soul, focusing on the soul after death; more archaic than 「心霊」.
• Related心魂しんこんWrittenWritten word for one's whole heart and soul, as in 「心魂を傾ける」; stresses devoting one's entire spirit.
• RelatedプシュケーWrittenRare Greek loanword for the mind or psyche; a philosophical term.
• Related精霊せいれいNeutralSpirits dwelling in nature, with a fantasy or religious feel, as in 「森の精霊」.
• RelatedガイストNeutralRare German loanword for spirit or soul, seen mostly in philosophy or in the titles of works.
• Antonym物質ぶっしつNeutralMatter or substance; the physical opposite of the supernatural 「心霊」.

For paranormal and ghostly phenomena use 「心霊」, as in 「心霊写真」 and 「心霊スポット」; it can also mean spirit or soul. For the soul say 「魂」 or 「霊魂」, for spirit and drive 「スピリット」, for fantasy spirits 「精霊」. The antonym is 「物質」.

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

1. 精神せいしん。魂たましい。
2. 霊魂れいこん。