鬼

Readings

Kana: おに、き

Romaji: oni, ki

Definitions

noun

1

ogre; demon

2

spirit of a deceased person

See also: 亡魂

3

ogre-like person (i.e. fierce, relentless, merciless, etc.)

4

it (i.e. in a game of tag)

5

Chinese "ghost" constellation (one of the 28 mansions)

(Astronomy, etc. term)

See also: 二十八宿 朱雀 (reading すざく, entry #2)

pref

6

very; extremely; super-

Note: slang

See also: 超

Kanji

鬼

Readings: キ、 おに、 おに-

Meanings: ghost, devil

Example Sentences

鬼(おに)に金棒(かなぼう)。

➥Fortune is the rod of the weak, and the staff of the brave.

鬼(おに)の留守(るす)に洗濯(せんたく)。

➥When the cat is away, the mice will play.

寺(てら)の隣(となり)に鬼(おに)が住(す)む。

➥The devil lurks behind the cross.

鬼(おに)の目(め)にも涙(なみだ)。

➥Even the hard-hearted can be moved to tears.

彼(かれ)は仕事(しごと)の鬼(おに)だ。

➥He is an eager beaver.

鬼(おに)の居(い)ぬ間(ま)に洗濯(せんたく)。

➥When the cat is away, the mice will play.