Offline mode

悪質な霊感商法

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression, noun phrase

neutral to formal (descriptive of a negative phenomenon)

How it works

This is a noun phrase composed of three main elements: 悪質 (akushitsu, 'malicious/shady'), which functions as a な-adjective modifying 霊感 (reikan, 'spiritual sense/psychic power'), which then combines with 商法 (shōhō, 'sales method/commercial practice') to form 霊感商法 (reikan shōhō, 'spiritual sales'). The 'な' particle connects the adjectival stem 悪質 to 霊感商法, indicating its attribute. The entire phrase describes a type of scam involving spiritual or psychic elements.

Sample sentences

彼女は悪質な霊感商法の被害に遭い、多額の金を失った。

She fell victim to a fraudulent spiritual scam and lost a large sum of money.

警察は悪質な霊感商法グループを摘発し、逮捕者が出た。

The police exposed a malicious psychic scam group, leading to arrests.

若い人たちが悪質な霊感商法に騙されないよう、注意喚起が必要です。

It is necessary to raise awareness so that young people are not deceived by fraudulent spiritual sales.

Quick facts

nuance:This phrase specifically refers to scams where sellers exploit people's spiritual beliefs, anxieties, or misfortunes by claiming to have psychic abilities, offering spiritual healing, or selling overpriced items (e.g., talismans, 'sacred' goods) for huge profits, often using manipulative tactics. It is a widely recognized social problem in Japan.

Often used with

悪質な詐欺 (akushitsu na sagi - malicious fraud)

霊感商法の被害者 (reikan shōhō no higaisha - victim of a spiritual scam)

消費生活センター (shōhi seikatsu sentā - consumer affairs center)

高額な請求 (kōgaku na seikyū - exorbitant charge)

騙される (damasareru - to be deceived)

Mnemonic

Get an AI-generated memory hook for 悪質な霊感商法 — a vivid scene that locks the word in your brain 🧠

Example

彼女は悪質な霊感商法の被害に遭い、多額の金を失った。

She fell victim to a fraudulent spiritual scam and lost a large sum of money.

警察は悪質な霊感商法グループを摘発し、逮捕者が出た。

The police exposed a malicious psychic scam group, leading to arrests.