Meaning

Primary

Enchanting

Alternatives

Charming, Mysterious

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

You can guess this is an adjective by looking at the it ends with. One of the meanings of the kanji, enchanting, is already an adjective. That's the meaning of this word, too: enchanting. What is enchanting? It's basically charming in a mysterious way.

Reading

あやしい
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

So this enchanting and charming feeling is mysterious... some would say 怪しい (suspicious). It actually shares the same reading as 怪しい. They're kind of similar, too. Here's the difference:

怪しい usually has a negative feel to it whereas 妖しい generally has a positive feel. 妖しい also feels more mysterious or has a magical edge.

Context

Context Sentences

彼女には妖しい美しさがある。

She has an enchanting beauty.

その時、ジェニーの目から妖しい光が放たれた。

At the time, Jenny's eyes emitted a mysterious light.

キャメロンは妖しい微笑みを浮かべてそこに立っていた。

Cameron just stood there with a mysterious smile.

Kanji Composition