鬼（おに、oni）
- ogre/demon

The Japanese word 鬼 鬼, pronounced おに, generally refers to a type of demon, ogre, or oni in Japanese folklore. They are typically depicted as large, fearsome humanoids with horns, claws, and often wearing tiger-skin loincloths. 鬼鬼 are often associated with evil, strength, and causing trouble. However, the meaning can shift slightly depending on the context. Sometimes, 鬼 鬼 can also describe someone who is exceptionally good at something or extremely dedicated, almost to a fault. They are also present in some Japanese idioms to show a characteristic.

⚫︎鬼の形相 Translation: A terrifying expression. ⚫︎鬼ごっこ Translation: Tag (the game). ⚫︎節分で鬼を追い払う Translation: To drive away the demons on Setsubun (Bean-Throwing Festival).

When talking about demons or monsters from Japanese folklore, use 鬼. Also use this word to describe something that is very difficult, or someone who is very strict or intimidating. You can also use it to describe someone who is the best at something, or someone with exceptional skill.

The word 鬼 鬼 is primarily written using the kanji 鬼 鬼. The reading is おに in hiragana. There are no variations in okurigana.

There aren't direct synonyms in the same sense, but words associated with similar concepts include: ⚫︎ 悪魔 (あくま) - Devil, demon ⚫︎ 妖怪 (ようかい) - Supernatural creature ⚫︎ 魔物 (まもの) - Monster

There aren't direct antonyms, but words that represent the opposite qualities include: ⚫︎ 天使 (てんし) - Angel ⚫︎ 善人 (ぜんにん) - Good person

彼は仕事の[鬼]だ。 ・Translation: He is a workaholic. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 鬼 to describe someone who is extremely dedicated and skilled at their work, almost to an obsessive degree.

子供たちは[鬼]ごっこをして遊んだ。 ・Translation: The children played tag. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 鬼 in the context of the game "tag". In this context, the "[鬼]" is the person who is "it".

The exact etymology of 鬼 is not definitively known, but it is believed to have ancient origins. Some theories suggest it may be related to the concept of "hidden" or "invisible" spirits. It is a very old word, deeply rooted in Japanese culture and mythology, predating the introduction of Chinese characters.