魔法|まほうmahou[0]heiban (flat)

1. no-adjectivemagic; witchcraft; sorcery; spell
   あいつに魔法まほうをかけてカエルにしてやろう。↗

   I'll bewitch him into a frog!

• Synonym魔術まじゅつNeutralCovers magic tricks as well as magic, as in 「魔術師」; leans toward mystic arts or stage magic, while 「魔法」 is the word for magic in fantasy stories.
• Synonym呪術じゅじゅつWrittenA written/formal term for sorcery and curses, as in 「呪術的儀式」; leans toward primitive religious rites.
• SynonymマジックNeutralLoanword for stage magic performances, as in 「マジックショー」; also means a felt-tip marker, which 「魔法」 does not.
• Synonym妖術ようじゅつWrittenWritten term for eerie, suspect sorcery; carries mostly negative overtones, unlike the neutral 「魔法」.
• Synonym幻術げんじゅつWrittenWritten word for illusion arts and sleight of hand; centers on deceiving the eye rather than supernatural power.
• Related魔力まりょくNeutralMeans magical power or captivating charm, as in 「音楽の魔力」; points to the power itself rather than magic as a practice.
• Related神通力じんつうりきWrittenWritten term for supernatural power with a Buddhist tinge; names the power itself, not the art of 「魔法」.

Use 「魔法」 for magic in fantasy works or wondrous effects, as in 「魔法使い」 and 「魔法の言葉」. For stage magic say 「マジック」, for sorcery and curses 「呪術」, and for the power itself 「魔力」.

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

1. 神秘的しんぴてきな力ちからにより、普通ふつうの方法ほうほうでは不可能ふかのうなことを行おこなう術じゅつ。
2. 不思議ふしぎなくらいすぐれていて、効果こうかがあること。